Meet ASK Kid Brynlee
Eight-year-old Brynlee loves nothing more than playing outside, cruising around in toy cars with her sister, squeezing her favorite squishy fidgets, and adding to her ever-growing Play-Doh collection.
"We seem to come home with [a new tub of Play-Doh] every time we go somewhere," Brynlee’s mom, Katie, laughs.
Described by her family as strong, courageous, resilient, loving, caring, and delightfully sassy, Brynlee is as creative as she is spirited. She rarely misses a chance to play alongside her sister or jump headfirst into her next big adventure.
Brynlee with her sister hugging outside Brynlee with her sister hugging outside
But in June 2025, Brynlee came down with what seemed like a typical childhood illness. When her symptoms lingered for nearly two weeks without getting better, her parents, Katie and David, grew concerned. After several visits and basic tests, they decided to take her to the emergency room, hoping to get answers. At the time, Katie and David thought they might learn Brynlee had something like mono. Instead, that visit ultimately led to Brynlee’s diagnosis with pineoblastoma, a rare brain tumor.
In a single day, Brynlee and her family were thrust into a new reality of treatments, hospital visits, and uncertainty. But they weren't walking this path alone.
ASK Education Support Navigator Amy Fender stepped in right away to help guide the way. She took the time to truly get to know the family, ensuring they had immediate access to vital resources when they needed them most.
“ASK is one of the only organizations we’ve seen that really stepped up to help financially with the bills parents have,” David shares.
Beyond financial assistance, Amy provided direct educational support to help ease Brynlee’s transition at school. She led an in-service classroom presentation for Brynlee and her classmates, helping her peers understand what Brynlee was going through and why she would be missing class during treatment. The presentation surrounded Brynlee with empathy, understanding, and encouragement from her friends and teachers.
Brynlee with her family outside Brynlee at the hospital
As Amy got to know Brynlee and her family, her support extended far beyond clinic walls and the classroom. When an opportunity arose for the family to attend a special Virginia Tech basketball game, Amy immediately jumped in and helped connect them with the experience. For ASK Dad David, a Virginia Tech alumnus, the trip offered a priceless moment of connection and joy.
"It was really cool to be able to take my kids back to Tech, show them around, and experience that together," he says.
After months of bravery and treatment, Brynlee recently finished chemotherapy and radiation. Now, her resilient spirit is in full swing as she gets back to doing what she does best—playing outside and being a kid. Whether she's adding another creation to her ever-growing Play-Doh collection, squeezing one of her favorite fidget toys, or climbing every piece of equipment at the playground, she's embracing every moment.
Reflecting on their journey, Katie and David are deeply grateful for the community that rallied around them.
"You never think you'll be in that position until you are," David says. "It's meant a lot for us to see people give back."
