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  • Get Involved | ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation

    Explore various ways to get involved and support childhood cancer families: volunteer, advocate, attend or host your own fundraising event to make a difference! GET INVOLVED Help make life better for our ASK families! ASK was started by a small group of parents of childhood cancer patients and volunteers who wanted to help other families in the same boat. Their spirit of generosity planted the seeds that have grown “the little organization that could” into the ASK you see today. Our mission is thriving because of our incredible ASK community – which will shine even brighter with you in it! WAYS TO GIVE All the ways you can give Assistance, Support and Kindness to an ASK family in need. Find A Way Signature Events Join us at an ASK signature event to give back to our community and have fun at the same time! Upcoming Events Community Fundraisers Lend a hand by hosting your own fundraiser! It can be as easy as 1-2-3 with our toolkit and downloadable resources. Host Your Own Volunteer Your Time Are you more hands-on when it comes to doing good? Volunteer to show your support! Lend a Hand Advocate For Change U se your voice to advocate and raise awareness for children with cancer across Virginia's communities. Be An Advocate More Ways to Get Involved ASK Ambassador Program The ASK Ambassador Program invites students and working professionals to lend a hand to support children with cancer! Each year, ASK Ambassadors embark on a fundraising and awareness campaign to engage our community and make a positive impact on childhood cancer patients and survivors. Together, they work to raise public support and critical dollars to help the 6-7 children and families across Virginia diagnosed each week. Sign Up #MakingLifeBetter Campaign We invite businesses to join us in activating a point-of-sale campaign to deepen their connection with their customers and raise vital funds to ease the burden of a cancer diagnosis for our families. From rounding up at the register to co-venture promotions, there are lots of creative and impactful ways to get your business involved! Learn More Common Questions Already have an event and want to connect with a charity partner? ASK would be honored to serve as the beneficiary of your fundraiser! Reach out to Kelsey O lszewski , Associate Director of Development, at kolszewski@askccf.org for more information. ? about getting involved with ASK: Your Support Truly Matters. When you get involved with ASK, you’re making life better for kids with cancer and their families across Virginia. Take a look at our latest Annual Report to meet some of ASK’s families and see the impact of your generosity in action! Read Our Annual Report

  • Link in Bio | ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation

    Important links for social media followers to ASK resources, event sign-ups and opportunities to give, volunteer, and learn more about how they can get involved. Link-in-Bio Welcome! Visit some of our most popular links below. To see more of our website, tap the menu icon in the top right corner. For Families: Get Support Program Events How You Can Help: Make a Gift Shop the Holiday Toy Drive Wishlist Shop Holiday Wishlist for ASK Caregivers Donate Snacks for Clinic Donate Snacks for Clinic Join Mustaches 4 Kids More Ways to Give Get Involved: Volunteer Become an Ambassador Learn More: Blog Meet Our Kourageous Kids ASK YouTube Channel Photo Albums In The News The ASK Store Contact Us About ASK

  • Ways to Give | ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation

    Explore the best ways to give at ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation. Donate funds, snacks, toys, gift cards, and more to make a difference for children and families. WAYS TO GIVE GIVE Help us spread holiday cheer to ASK Kids this year by shopping our Annual Holiday Toy Drive Wishlist today! When you give to ASK, it provides educational support, family and financial support, and program events that offer community and connection. This amazing support means our families have the resources they need to make it through the most challenging days – but there’s more we can do, which is why we need you! Donate Snacks & Drinks Snacks and drinks offer comfort to patients, parents and siblings who often spend long hours at clinic during appointments or at our program events. Shop Snacks Make A Gift Today Donate to provide an ASK family with emotional, financial and educational support as they navigate the twists and turns of their childhood cancer journey. Make a Donation Donate Toys & Treasures Treasure box toys, games and crafts provide a much-needed distraction and pick-me-up after difficult and stressful procedures during treatment. Shop Toys Donate Gift Cards From gasoline to groceries, gift cards help our families stay on top of their mounting everyday expenses. Get in touch with us to see what’s needed most. Contact Us Ways to Donate Join The 1975 Society & Leave A Lasting Legacy As you consider your own legacy, we invite you to think about how you can make a lasting difference in the lives of children with cancer and their families. Since 1975, ASK has been providing comprehensive support to families across Virginia, including financial assistance for everyday expenses, educational support for patients returning to school, and so much more. By including ASK in your plans, you can continue making life better for children with cancer for generations to come. Learn more below about the ways you can make life better for our families in this generation and beyond! Learn More Begin Your Legacy With Us We partner with FreeWill, an online tool that guides you through the process of creating a legally valid will or trust. It’s easy to use, accessible online and can be completed in just a few minutes. Click the link below to document your wishes before finalizing your plans with an attorney. Start My Will Gift Intent Form Have you already included a gift in your will or trust? Please fill out this form to let us know! We would love to thank you for your generosity. Fill Out Form Non-Probate Assets Do you have an IRA, 401(k), life-insurance policy, or any other assets not included in your will? If so, these are called non-probate assets and you must plan your beneficiaries for them separately. Use this online tool to make your plans and designate us as a beneficiary of one or more of these assets. Designate My Beneficiaries Other Ways to Give United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg Our United Way Agency Number: 3175 Employer Donation Matching See if your employer wi ll match your donation! Click here to get started. The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign Our CVC Number: 03281 YOU make a difference Thank you for taking a stand to lessen the burden of cancer for our kids and families throughout Virginia with your time, treasure and talents. How Your Support Helps

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Blog Posts (74)

  • Meet ASK Kid Conor

    At just four years old, Conor's imagination knows no bounds, and, like many children his age, he loves superheroes — Spider-Man (Spidey) being his favorite — and villains! He’s a big fan of playing video games with his dad and being outside where he can run and play. Conor approaches every day with a sense of wonder and adventure, and he’s never met a human or animal that he hasn’t tried to befriend. When Conor was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (a rare subtype of AML) in February 2025 at just three years old, his parents, Sarah and Scott, felt their world collapse. He had battled RSV and lingering illnesses, then bruising led to bloodwork that revealed shocking results. Within hours, the family was sent to the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, and Conor began treatment just two days later. From the very beginning, ASK showed up in ways Sarah and Scott never imagined. Katie Barber, ASK’s Child Life Specialist at the ASK Clinic within the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, was the first to meet Conor and his family. When he was scared, she pulled out a Nintendo Switch and made him laugh. ASK Chaplain Rich Catlett stopped by during inpatient stays, offering much-needed encouragement. When his port was difficult to access, ASK staff found ways to distract him so his bravery could shine. But ASK went far beyond the hospital walls. They helped cover bills when Sarah had to step away from work, provided food and gas cards, and even answered Scott’s wish to give Conor a safe space outdoors. ASK connected the family with Hope RVA, which landscaped the backyard and built Conor his very own playset. Today, the first thing Conor does every morning is run outside to play. “ They’ve wrapped us in their arms. Whatever you might need, ASK is there to figure out how to get it. They’re so proactive, and you don’t have to search for help. They show up and remind you you’re not alone. ” -Sarah, ASK Kid Conor's mom After nine long months of treatment and countless trips to the ASK Clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Conor completed his last treatment on Friday, October 24th, and will ring the end-of-treatment bell with all of his family, friends, nursing staff, doctors, and ASK staff there to celebrate this monumental moment. By the end of this fall, Conor will hopefully join our ASK First STEP (Socialization Through Enriched Play) Preschool Program at First Baptist Church, just for ASK kids and siblings. The ASK First STEP Preschool Program is a specialized class where our teachers look for both typical developmental milestones and late effects from treatment to help our kiddos get the best start possible and feel prepared for a successful kindergarten experience, with skills like sharing, listening, focusing, and cooperating. Conor’s world has changed, but it is still full of joy. He still loves Mario, villains from The Nightmare Before Christmas , and playing Spidey with his boundless imagination. He can’t yet return to playgrounds or museums, but thanks to ASK, he has a backyard kingdom to explore. His parents are in awe not only of their community but also of ASK’s early, steady presence: “Until you need their services, you can’t imagine the depth of what they do. They walk this journey with you in ways you don’t expect.” For now, Conor keeps playing, keeps laughing, and keeps proving what his parents already know: kids are resilient, joy is stronger than fear, and no family has to fight alone when ASK is by their side.

  • Meet ASK Kid Aniyah

    Meet three-year-old Aniyah, the butterfly of her family—shy in crowds but bossy and outgoing at home with Nana and big brother, Noah (age 6). She was like any other kid until foot and leg pain, along with fevers, led to a diagnosis: B-cell leukemia. When Ashley, Aniyah’s mom, heard the word “cancer,” she says she just blanked out—“What? Cancer? Can my baby live a normal life?” Every day, Ashley saw the effects of childhood cancer on families because she worked in the clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. For Jorje, Aniyah’s dad, the first reaction was disbelief. He stayed strong in front of his family, but later, in the quiet of the hospital room, the weight of it hit him as he watched his little girl hooked to IVs. From that frightening beginning, one thing became crystal clear: this family did not have to walk alone. Right away, they met ASK’s Child Life Specialist, Katie Barber, at the clinic in the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Child Life Specialists help children understand and cope with their experiences by using medical play and fun distractions to teach kids about what they are going through. “She asked, ‘What do you need? What can I get you?’ and hugged us,” Ashley remembers. Those questions—and ASK’s constant, quiet answering of it—changed everything. ASK didn’t just come with donations and paperwork; we treated the whole family. ASK provided assistance and practical help like food vouchers for the VCU cafeteria on long clinic days, gas cards for endless trips, and gift cards when money was tight. We stepped in and helped fix small daily problems so that Aniyah’s family could focus on her treatment. ASK was there every step of the way to offer prayers, steady encouragement, and the simple human connection of someone who truly cares. “They don’t make me feel like my child has cancer,” Ashley says. “They make me feel like we still have a life. The staff of ASK even answer the phone like family.” -Ashley, ASK Kid Aniyah's mom Today, Aniyah is small but mighty. Her treatment plan is hopeful and careful as she continues with various stages of treatment. She’s back to playing with her brother Noah, bossing her family around, singing, and talking louder than anyone else in the room. Because of treatments, Aniyah and her family are looking forward to the ASK Holiday Party this year, and soon, Aniyah will be old enough for the ASK First STEP preschool program at First Baptist Church, a preschool just for ASK kids and their siblings. Her parents stand firm: “At the end of the day, you can overcome. We can fight it and beat it. And we know it’s ASK’s fight too.” This brave belief isn't just words; it has a special, strong symbol right in their home. Aniyah's family has a trash can with one very important job: to hold “Leukemie’s Butt” until they can finally throw it out! Even though they may not all be there at once, in their hearts, they know that Katie, Rich, ASK staff, her brother, and her mom and dad are all standing together. They are shoulder to shoulder—united and strong—making sure fear will not win.

  • Meet ASK Kid Braddock

    Meet ASK Kid Braddock ! Four-year-old Braddock has a knack for turning ordinary moments into big adventures. Monster trucks, puzzles, and anything green capture his attention, and his imagination is always in high gear. Confident and curious, he’s quick to start conversations and make new friends, sharing his joy and energy wherever he goes. Braddock’s journey began last summer after a family trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to celebrate a relative’s wedding. Both he and his sister came down with what seemed like a common illness during the trip, but while his sister bounced back, Braddock didn’t. Low-grade fevers lingered, and a small spot appeared on his arm — something his family initially considered a bug bite. Urgent care prescribed antibiotics, but within three days, the spot worsened. After consulting with medically trained relatives, the family headed to the ER. Bloodwork revealed concerning results, and doctors quickly arranged for an ambulance to transfer Braddock to UVA Children’s Hospital, where Dr. Engel, chief of the pediatric hematology/oncology program, was on call. After additional review, the doctors at UVA diagnosed him with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL). They also discovered that a Pseudomonas infection had caused the spot on his arm, and his low white blood cell count kept his body from fighting it. Within a few months the infection was gone, and Braddock’s treatment pressed forward. After 9 months of intense treatment, Braddock reached a significant milestone — entering the long-term maintenance phase of treatment. For children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), like Braddock, treatment is a multi-phase process. The maintenance phase, also known as continuation therapy, is the long-term phase of treatment.  It’s a turning point that brings a sense of relief, allowing families to reclaim a bit of normalcy while still keeping a watchful eye on their child’s health. “Every parent sets goals during treatment, and reaching maintenance is a big one,” she shared. Braddock’s family connected with ASK through Education Support Navigator Natalie. ASK stepped in with meaningful, tangible support, easing the burden of frequent travel for treatment and helping cover critical expenses, allowing the family to focus on what mattered most: Braddock’s healing. “One thing I’ve learned is you don’t always know what you need until you need it. ASK has been such a help, and the community we’ve found here is invaluable. Being able to connect with families who understand what you’re going through is something you can’t put a price on.” -Amanda, ASK Kid Braddock's Mom Through the challenges, Braddock has grown in remarkable ways. Once quiet and hesitant to speak, he’s now outgoing, confident, and eager to talk to everyone he meets.  “If you had asked me to describe him before his diagnosis, I don’t think ‘brave’ would have been the first word I used,” Amanda said. “But now, it’s the first thing I’d say.” Today, Braddock embraces the joy of being a kid — playing at the playground, piecing together puzzles, and talking endlessly about monster trucks. His journey has been one of bravery, resilience, and finding silver linings in even the hardest days. Braddock is facing the road ahead with his family, his care team, and ASK by his side — one courageous step at a time.

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