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Nurturing childhood cancer families in Richmond, Virginia with engaging events! Our educational and social events are offered to ​families with patients, survivors, and siblings enrolled with ASK, and are always free to attend. PROGRAM EVENTS RICHMOND REGION EVENTS Richmond Region The following educational and social events are offered to families with patients, survivors and siblings enrolled with ASK in and around Richmond . ASK program events are always free to attend! Our Upcoming Events: Sign Up Preschool Playtime at Sunshine Play Cafe Date: April 18 Time: 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM Place: Sunshine Play Cafe 9200 Stony Point Pkwy Ste 158B, Richmond, VA 23235, USA Join us for an exciting morning of play at Sunshine Play Cafe! All preschool-aged (0-5 years old) ASK kids and their siblings are invited. We will have coffee and snacks at the event. Regístrese Preschool Playtime at Sunshine Play Cafe Date: 18 de abril Time: 8:30 - 10:30 Place: Sunshine Play Cafe 9200 Stony Point Pkwy Ste 158B, Richmond, VA 23235, USA ¡Únase a nosotros para una mañana emocionante de juegos en Sunshine Play Cafe! Todos los niños de ASK en edad preescolar (0 a 5 años) y sus hermanos están invitados. Tendremos café y refrigerios en el evento Sign Up Teen Game Truck Date: April 26 Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Place: ASK Family Center 5211 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230, USA ASK Kids and their siblings in middle and high school will have 2 hours of video games in the Game Truck and tacos from Maya's Latin Kitchen. Regístrese Evento de "Game Truck" Date: 26 de abril Time: 13:00 - 15:00 Place: ASK Family Center 5211 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230, USA ¡Únete a nosotros para una tarde de tacos y videojuegos! Evento abierto para niños de ASK en 'middle' o 'high school'. Los lugares son limitados; por favor infórmanos si no puedes asistir. Sign Up Scaly Tails RVA Event Date: May 17 Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Place: ASK Family Center 5211 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230, USA Join us for an afternoon of slithery friends with Scaly Tails RVA. A short waiver will be required for all participants to hold our scaly friends. Parents are welcome to drop off kids for the duration of our visit. This event is for all of our ASK kids and siblings who are in Kindergarten - 5th grade. Regístrese Scaly Tails RVA Event Date: 17 de mayo Time: 13:00 - 14:30 Place: ASK Family Center 5211 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230, USA Acompáñenos a una tarde con amigos escurridizos de Scaly Tails RVA. Se requerirá que todos los participantes firmen una breve exención de responsabilidad para poder cargar a nuestros amigos escamosos. Los padres pueden dejar a sus hijos durante la duración de nuestra visita. Este evento es para todos nuestros niños de ASK y sus hermanos que estén en los grados de Kínder a 5.º grado. Sign Up Teen Event at Monster Mini Golf Date: June 5 Time: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM Place: Monster Mini Golf Tuckahoe (Regency Shopping Mall) 1420 N Parham Rd SPC K220, Richmond, VA 23229, USA A fun teen event for all of our ASK Kids and siblings who are in grades 6 through 12. The kids will enjoy mini golf, arcade time, and pizza! Parents are welcome to drop kids off but need to be back by 6:30pm for the end of the event. Regístrese Teen Event at Monster Mini Golf Date: 5 de junio Time: 17:00 - 18:30 Place: Monster Mini Golf Tuckahoe (Regency Shopping Mall) 1420 N Parham Rd SPC K220, Richmond, VA 23229, USA ¡Los niños disfrutarán de minigolf, tiempo en los juegos arcade y pizza! Los padres son bienvenidos a dejar a los niños, pero deben estar de vuelta a las 18:30 para el final del evento. Back to Events Overview COVID-19 Policy: ASK social events and programs are now open to families with a child currently in active treatment. To keep our immunocompromised populations as safe as possible, indoor mask requirements will be decided based upon the CDC Covid-19 Community Level for the locality in which the event will take place, and will be disclosed prior to each event. For the full policy, click here.

Nurturing childhood cancer families in Fredericksburg, Virginia with engaging events! Our educational and social events are offered to ​families with patients, survivors, and siblings enrolled with ASK, and are always free to attend. PROGRAM EVENTS FREDERICKSBURG REGION EVENTS Fredericksburg Region The following educational and social events are offered to families with patients, survivors and siblings enrolled with ASK in and around Fredericksburg . ASK program events are always free to attend! Our Upcoming Events: Sign Up ASK Sports Night Mash-Up @ the Fredericksburg Field House Date: April 25 Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Place: Fredericksburg Field House 3411 Shannon Park Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 22408, USA Calling all Fredericksburg-area ASK Kids, Teens, and siblings (ages 5 and up) to join for an afternoon of fun at the field house. First we'll take to the field for some games–soccer, sport challenges, dodgeball, free-play silliness, and then we'll grab some pizza and popcorn afterwards. Parents, while the kids play, you are welcome to stay for a presentation by ASK Education Navigator, Jon Longenecker, on Special Education Law and Advocating for Your Child. All participants receive a free special education law reference book. Sign Up Special Education Law: Advocating for Your Child Date: April 25 Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Place: Fredericksburg Field House 3411 Shannon Park Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 22408, USA Parents, we’d love for you to join us for a presentation on special education law and advocating for your child hosted by Jon Longenecker, ASK Education Navigator. *This event is at the same time as our ASK Sports Mash-Up so your children will be engaged and active while you attend. All parents will receive a free special education law reference book, and there will be additional time to ask questions. Sign up ASK Family Night with the Fredericksburg Nationals Date: June 5 Time: 6:35 PM - 10:00 PM Place: Virginia Credit Union Stadium 42 Jackie Robinson Wy, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, USA Fredericksburg area ASK families are invited to join us for a night at the ballpark with the FRED Nats Friday, June 5 @ Virginia Credit Union Stadium from pregame until the fireworks end. ☺️🎆 Each family will receive a digital parking pass, game tickets, and one food voucher per person. Hope to see you there! Waitlist Fredericksburg Summer Camp: June 15-19 (week 1) Date: June 15-19 Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Place: FUMC (Fredericksburg United Methodist Church) 308 Hanover St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, USA Summer Camp is back in Downtown Fredericksburg June 15-19, so get ready for a week of ASK-style fun in the ‘Burg! Registration is open to all rising first grade ASK Kids and siblings. Thank you for your interest in 2026 ASK Fredericksburg Summer Camp (June 15–19). As of February 12, Week One is sold out and registration is closed. To join the Week One waitlist, please use the ‘Waitlist’ link or register for Week Two below. Sign Up Fredericksburg Summer Camp: July 13-17 (week 2) Date: July 13-17 Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Place: FUMC (Fredericksburg United Methodist Church) 308 Hanover St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, USA We're excited to announce that we've added a second week (July 13-17) of summer camp to our programming this year to accommodate more campers and more fun. Campers may attend one week of camp each summer to make sure all our families get an opportunity for summer fun. Back to Events Overview COVID-19 Policy: ASK social events and programs are now open to families with a child currently in active treatment. To keep our immunocompromised populations as safe as possible, indoor mask requirements will be decided based upon the CDC Covid-19 Community Level for the locality in which the event will take place, and will be disclosed prior to each event. For the full policy, click here.

ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation is a Virginia-based nonprofit dedicated to making life better for children with cancer and their families through financial assistance, educational support, and opportunities for community and connection. We're here to make life a little better. better. Your generosity means kids like Aliyana don't have to face cancer or serious blood disorders alone Give Today Aliyana, 3 Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) How we help our families: Community & Connection Facing cancer can be an isolating experience. We helped our kids and families build meaningful connections throughout 2023 with more than 100 program events. Educational Support On average, kids miss 43 days of school during their first year of treatment. In 2023, we helped more than 500 patients return to school with the support they need to be successful. Financial Assistance Half of all families with a child in treatment will experience severe financial hardship. In 2023, we helped families stay afloat with more than $250,000 to cover everyday expenses. Get Support Lending a Helping Hand for over 50 years! Since 1975, ASK has been dedicated to providing A-assistance, S-support, and K-kindness to children with cancer and their families during treatment and beyond. From the earliest days of lending a helping hand to families facing pediatric cancer in Richmond, Virginia, ASK has grown to provide support and assistance to children with cancer across the state. This support is delivered through our three areas of focus: educational support, family support, and community and connection, and your support remains the secret sauce to our mission's success. You've helped us fund essential support positions, provide vital financial assistance, and create a network of support that extends far beyond medical care for hundreds of ASK families! However, the work is far from over! Together, we will continue to provide support to our communities and help ensure no child or family faces cancer alone. See Our Impact 6-7 children are diagnosed with cancer every week in Virginia. Let’s give them a hand and help make life better any way we can. How to Get Involved > What's new? Meet ASK Kid Aliyana 3 days ago Meet ASK Kid Jack Feb 17 Meet ASK Kid Damian Feb 11 See More Posts Stay Connected with ASK Sign up for updates on all things ASK! You'll hear from us regularly with opportunities for you to give , volunteer , or advocate for children with cancer. You'll also receive monthly stories to meet the inspiring children and families your generosity is helping to support. Sign Up for Updates Follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTube Linkedin TikTok Twitter

For an exuberant three-year-old, the world is a playground. Life is meant for running, jumping, climbing, and—for Aliyana—spending as much time as possible at the park on the swings and slides. But for Aliyana and her mom, everything changed when a "phantom" leg pain began to interrupt those playdates. "It’s hard to advocate for a toddler with a limited vocabulary who can only say that their leg hurts," her mom, Liana, recalls. "She was your typical rambunctious toddler. It just got really concerning when she was struggling to put weight on her leg and didn't want to walk or play." What followed was a ten-day whirlwind of uncertainty. Initial blood work at the pediatrician came back elevated, but a visit to the ER showed no signs of infection or fever. X-rays with an orthopedic surgeon suggested her bones were fine. The pain would come and go; she would be in agony at home, only to appear normal during an examination. Finally, when a fever developed, her mother sought a second opinion at a different emergency room. This time, a full workup provided the answer they never expected. "It went from zero to leukemia in a matter of hours," her mom says.  Aliyana was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Following her diagnosis, Aliyana’s life was measured in 28-day treatment cycles. "Once we get used to the 28 days, then it switches again," her mom explains. "But overall, she’s in remission. She’s responding well to treatments, and everything is working the way it’s supposed to be." Through the ups and downs of treatment, Aliyana never lost her "girly girl" spirit. She has discovered a new love for arts and crafts and—thanks to some practice with patience—loves getting her nails painted. The family was connected with ASK almost immediately after diagnosis during their inpatient stay at VCU. As they navigated the strain of a cancer diagnosis, ASK was there to help bridge the gap. "ASK has definitely made life better," her mom shares. "ASK has been very instrumental in just letting us know what they're there to help with. Just having that support means so much”. Now, Aliyana is about to reach a big milestone: completing her first year of preschool! She is officially enrolled in ASK’s FIRST-Step Preschool Program in Mrs. Susan’s Owl Class. The FIRST-Step (Socialization through Enriched Play) 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. Aliyana’s teacher, Mrs. Susan, reports, “Aliyana is delightful! We can always count on her to bring zeal for learning, compassion for classmates, and the cutest giggle to preschool each day. We often hear Aliyana singing a little tune such as ‘Months of the Year’ or 'Days of the Week '. It has been wonderful watching Aliyana grow socially, developing friendships with classmates, emotionally, acquiring greater confidence in her abilities, and academically, weaving her past knowledge with introduced information and applying what she knows to new situations.” On May 20th, she will officially complete her first year of preschool, and we can’t wait to see her back in the classroom in the fall!

Jack is a 19-year-old with a big heart, a competitive spirit, and a love for games. He does it all– board games, card games, and especially Uno, a game in which he proudly calls himself “vicious.”” But beyond his playful personality, Jack has faced a serious health challenge: a diagnosis of myxoid liposarcoma at age 13. Jack has shown resilience, positivity, and a desire to help others through it all. Jack’s journey began on Christmas Eve of 2019, when he started experiencing chest pains. “He wasn’t feeling well and was complaining of chest pain that morning,” recalls his mom, Lis. At first, the family thought it might be something minor like bronchitis. But after a visit to urgent care, Jack was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. “Everything was just kind of a whirlwind from there,” Lis shares. Following surgery and a month-long hospital stay, Jack received his diagnosis: myxoid liposarcoma. “We went about a year just kind of watching and waiting after the first surgery,” Lis explains. Over the following months, Jack underwent a second surgery to remove the chest-wall lining and multiple smaller tumors; this was followed by a year of chemotherapy and radiation. Today, Jack is in the midst of another round of chemotherapy and continues to go through regular scans every three months to monitor his health. Jack’s treatment journey has been long and challenging. From multiple surgeries to rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, the process has required flexibility, perseverance, and an enormous amount of support. “It’s an ever-evolving process,” Lis reflects. “Some days we don’t know what’s going to happen from one day to the next.” Despite this, Jack remains positive and engaged, balancing his treatments with school and activities whenever possible. ASK became a part of Jack’s journey a few years after his diagnosis, helping the family coordinate care closer to home. One memorable event for Jack was the Teen Mingle & Jingle at the Hotel Roanoke, where he could enjoy Christmas festivities with peers who understood his experience. “For a couple of hours, he didn’t have to think about the news he got or anything that was going on. He was just around friends and had a good time,” Lis shares. Beyond events, ASK has also supported the family with school accommodations and guidance, helping Jack manage his studies and plan for college. Now 19, Jack demonstrates resilience, compassion, and a desire to give back. “Even if it’s not a teen event, he wants to go and help out with the younger kids,” Lis says. “It’s his way of giving back and finding a release.” Outside of helping others, Jack enjoys games, time with friends, and being a typical teen whenever possible. Jack’s story is a reminder that childhood cancer affects more than just the patient—it touches families and communities. With the support of ASK, Jack has not only navigated his treatment with strength and positivity but has also found ways to connect with and support other kids facing similar challenges.

Seven-year-old Damian has always been full of energy. Soccer became his passion as soon as he could walk, starting to play at just 15 months old. Whether chasing the ball or running along the beach, Damian has always been happiest outdoors. In March 2023, Damian's mom, Fiorella, began noticing a few minor signs at first that her son wasn't acting like himself. He was more tired than usual and complained about a pain in his leg. After spending weeks searching for answers at Inova Fairfax Hospital, doctors broke the news that Damian had been diagnosed with leukemia. The diagnosis came just days after Damian's sixth birthday. Within weeks, his life shifted from soccer fields to hospital visits for treatments, a new routine no family ever expects. The first year of treatment meant stepping away from the physical activities Damian loved, but his resilience shone through. Throughout Damian's journey, ASK has been there every step of the way. "[ASK has] been absolutely amazing since day one," Fiorella shared. From emotional support to financial assistance, ASK has helped the family navigate the many challenges that come with a childhood cancer diagnosis. "Having ASK there makes you feel like you're not alone," Fiorella explained. Vanessa Wagener , ASK's Bilingual Education Support Navigator , has been a vital source of guidance for Damian's education by helping set up his 504 school plan. Vanessa is one of six Navigators stationed at each of Virginia's five pediatric cancer treatment centers, bridging the gap between hospital and clinic staff with the child's school to help them stay on grade level and receive the accommodations they need to be successful.  In addition to educational support, ASK provides family support services such as financial assistance. Just last year, ASK covered 2,373 non-medical bills statewide. ASK was able to provide rent assistance when hospital stays and missed work days put extra stress on Damian's family. A year and a half into treatment, Damian has regained his strength. He's in maintenance, gaining weight, and back to playing outside. Fiorella shares that things gradually improved with time, support, and perseverance. Looking ahead, Fiorella holds onto the same hope she wants other families to feel: they are not alone, even in the darkest and scariest moments. "Everybody works with you toward the same goal—the end of treatment and ringing the bell," she says. "Even in the scariest moments, you will always have somebody holding your hand." Today, Damian has returned to his energetic self. He enjoys playing sports, spending time outdoors, and reclaiming the independence and joy of childhood.