From ASK Child Life Specialist to Board President: Meg Garner's Full-Circle Leadership at ASK

For Meg Garner, her connection to the ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation began nearly 30 years ago, and her dedication to our families has only deepened over time. As a college intern at the Medical College of Virginia (now Virginia Commonwealth University), Meg experienced firsthand how ASK supports pediatric cancer patients and their families.

That internship evolved into her first job out of college as ASK’s Child Life Specialist at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU—a vital position that remains today—providing emotional support, education, and comfort to children with cancer and their families. During her time as our Child Life Specialist, she walked alongside families during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. During these early years, she found her calling: being on the "people side" of care.

"I learned a lot working with ASK early on in my career," Meg reflects. "I knew I wanted to be on the people side of things".

Fast-forward to the present day: Meg is now the Board President of ASK. Since those early days, her career has been nothing short of extraordinary—she has served in leadership roles at the American Cancer Society and currently as Chief Operating Officer at VPM Media Corporation—but ASK has always remained close to her heart. Over the years, she's been a donor, a volunteer, a consultant, and now, a trusted board member.

We are so excited to have Meg serve as our fierce leader as we enter this new chapter as an organization. Her leadership is grounded in empathy and strategy, shaped by decades of nonprofit experience and a lifelong commitment to children's well-being

When asked about her goals, Meg shares, “ASK directly impacts the lives of kids and families with cancer every day. My goal is to amplify our reach statewide and build lasting connections in each region with pediatric oncology centers”.

Over 550 children are diagnosed with cancer each year across Virginia. ASK is a crucial lifeline for many of these families. We help provide each family with wrap-around support—financial assistance, educational support, and a sense of community when they need it the most—and walk alongside them as they navigate an incredibly difficult journey. Since her very first day as our Child Life Specialist, Meg has never lost sight of the children and their families behind each number. She has witnessed firsthand how something as simple as a gas card or utility bill payment can help a family immensely, or how a fun family event can make a child feel like a kid again and grant families the gift of normalcy and understanding.

Whether it's her family, coworkers, or the families served by ASK, Meg is known for her grounded leadership and warm presence. She is a fierce advocate for children and a thoughtful strategist. As our new Board President, Meg’s main focus is on ensuring that ASK continues to grow while staying rooted in its Richmond beginnings. "It's my way of giving back," she says, "to an organization that's been near and dear to my heart for such a long time". We're so grateful for her compassionate leadership and unwavering commitment. Thank you, Meg, for being a decades-long champion for kids with cancer and reminding us all what it means to lead with assistance, support, and kindness.