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ASK's local and statewide partners go above and beyond to host fundraising events and further ongoing efforts to engage our community in support of children with cancer and their families in Virginia. PARTNER EVENTS EVENTS We are grateful to our amazing local and statewide partners, who go above and beyond to host fundraising events and further ongoing efforts to engage our community in support of ASK kids and families. Interested in hosting your own fundraiser? Learn more here! Upcoming Events: Learn More Ashby Charity Tub Date: September 1st - 30th Time: All Day Place: Ashby RVA 3010 W Cary St, Richmond, VA, USA If you are shopping in Carytown during the month of September, take a moment to visit Ashby RVA where all sales from their charity tub will be donated to support ASK! You can shop until you drop guilt-free knowing that the money you spend is supporting our mission of making life better for children with cancer and their families across Virginia. Explore the Menu Mudhouse Specialty Coffee Roasters Giveback Date: September 4th Time: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Place: Mudhouse Specialty Coffee Roasters 418 W Broad St, Richmond, VA, USA Mudhouse believes in creating good feeling and, during September's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, each sip of coffee will not only taste great, but will make an impact on the local community. Visit any 3 of their location in Richmond or Charlottesville on Thursday, September 4th and see how your daily coffee can make a difference. Register 13th Annual Fredericksburg Classic Golf Tournament Date: September 12th Time: 9:00 AM Place: Lee's Hill Golf Club 10200 Old Dominion Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22408, USA We are celebrating 13 years of making life better at the ASK Fredericksburg Golf Classic! Join us as a sponsor, foursome or individual golfer and tee off for the kids during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Ongoing Efforts: FBLA Project ASK The FBLA has been a valued partner of ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation for over 40 years. FBLA chapters and their students are challenged to raise awareness and funds towards ASK's goal of making life better for children with cancer across Virginia. Let's make 2025-2026 the best year yet! FBLA students have set a goal or raising $7,500, which could give our middle and high school students a retreat to grow academically and socially twice a year. Ultimately, they are able to connect with others who understand part of their story. We invite you to be part of it too. Learn More YOU make a difference Thank you for your partnership, and for taking a stand to lessen the burden of cancer for our kids and families throughout Virginia! How Your Support Helps

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 Parent's Night Out Date: August 1 Time: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Place: ASK Family Center 5211 W. Broad St Suite 100 Richmond, VA 23230 We invite our ASK kids and siblings to join us for an evening of fun and magic while parents enjoy some time on their own! Sign Up ASK Night at the Diamond Date: September 13 Time: 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM Place: Flying Squirrels Stadium 301 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23220, USA Get ready for a grand slam of fun! Join us for a picnic and tickets to the Richmond Flying Squirrels game. If you have an ASK shirt, pitch right in and wear it! Our ASK kids will be invited to round the bases for a victory lap on the field and might even get to steal the show with activities between innings! Email Michelle to Register SAT Prep Class Date: August 11 - August 14 Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Place: Virtual Get ready, rising high school juniors and seniors! Prepare to conquer the SAT with a first-class SAT prep experience brought to you by the Richmond Academic Institute (RAI). This incredible opportunity will be held virtually, making it convenient for everyone. Plus, if you're enrolled with ASK, your siblings can join in on the prep too! Don't miss out – be sure to register by August 1, 2025, to guarantee you have all the essential materials before the sessions kick off. To sign up or learn more, simply email Michelle Johnson at mjohnson@askccf.org or give her a call at (804) 402-1153. 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.

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

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.

Meet ASK Kid Nikolas ! He loves spending his free time outside with his older brothers on the family campground, playing Minecraft, and making friends everywhere he goes. As the family navigated the COVID-19 Pandemic with the rest of the world in 2020, they noticed that Nikolas was not acting like his usual self.  "He got COVID, and then he just never really got better. He started getting more and more tired, putting on some weight, losing his appetite, not eating, lots of headaches, nose bleeds, and we would take him to the doctor," ASK Kid Nikolas's dad, James, recalled. While medical professionals were still trying to figure out the COVID-19 virus, they wrote off Nikolas's symptoms as a continuation of COVID-19, suggesting more vitamin C, zinc, and lots of rest to recover. Despite following doctors' orders and COVID protocols, Nikolas wasn't improving, and his decline became increasingly noticeable. ASK dad James recalls the day he had a gut feeling that his son was experiencing something more serious: "Nikolas was going to bike around the family campground as he normally would, but he just couldn't do it.  He would go outside, ride his bike for maybe 30 seconds, and then come in and say, 'Oh, Dad, I'm just so tired, I just can't do it.' And then the real turning point was he ate very little." A few days later, Nikolas' symptoms became even more evident. "He was with his mom, and he ate very little, and then he laid down on the floor, and he just threw up and he wouldn't move. So his mom called me and said, 'I need to take him to the emergency room.'" James shared. Nikolas chimed in, saying, "It was one of my favorite meals, too!" further emphasizing the abnormality of his symptoms.  Nikolas's mom quickly rushed him to the emergency room only to be told the same answer—COVID-19. Nikolas' parents weren't satisfied with that answer. They knew this was different and decided to request blood work for Nikolas. What they found changed their family's life forever.  Nikolas was officially diagnosed with Philadelphia-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Ph+ ALL) in 2022. "It was one of those; everybody got real quiet…they wanted to transport [Nikolas] to whichever children's oncologist would take him first. Fortunately, Roanoke answered the call first and was immediately transported to Carilion Children's Hospital. ASK Dad James was a constant presence at every hospital visit, trying to make sense of their new reality. "The one thing that I didn't even consider or think about was school," he recalled. Similar to many parents navigating childhood cancer, he was focused on Nikolas' medical appointments, health, and treatments; it simply hadn't crossed his mind. That's where ASK came in. Amy Fender, the ASK Education Support Navigator, walked into the room all smiles and ready to help Nikolas get resources and activities to help him overcome any gaps he may have accumulated while out of school for treatment. Amy is one of six Navigators stationed at each of Virginia's five pediatric cancer treatment centers, bridging the gap between hospital inpatient stays and patients' schools to help them stay on grade level and receive the accommodations they need to be successful. "It was such a relief to have her walk in and say, 'I got this part. You take care of him. You keep him happy. The doctors are going to do the medicine. I'm going to do the school. You take care of Nikolas.' And that's what we did."  - James, ASK Kid Nikolas' Dad At Carilion Children's Hematology/Oncology, the family found a supportive network of people who quickly connected with Nikolas. They patiently guided them through the complexities of his diagnosis, explaining that his specific case required a treatment approach more akin to Acute Myeloid Leukemia than the typical ALL protocol. This meant a more aggressive course of action. Though the standard treatment for PH-ALL lasted three years, Nikolas's intense regimen concluded in two. "It was very aggressive, but he was a trooper," James said proudly.  This spring will mark Nikolas's family's third year participating in the annual ASK 5K & Fun Walk, one of our signature events that raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer. James expressed, "We are very happy to continue to donate to that cause…I know there are so many people that have to make that choice. 'Do I go to treatment, or do I go to work? Do I buy gas, or do we buy medicine?'"  Just like his favorite Marvel superheroes, Nikolas faced his cancer journey with remarkable courage and an unwavering smile, forming many friendships. His resilience continues to inspire not only his family but everyone who meets him. He is regaining strength and returning to his regular life, one step at a time.

Meet ASK Kid Kyleigh! At just 9 years old, she's got a big, fun life! Imagine this: she's got a whole crew at home with two brothers, a sister with one more sister on the way. When she's not hanging out with them, you can probably find her dominating the soccer field, zipping around on four-wheelers and dirt bikes, or getting super creative with art projects. With such a vibrant personality and spirit, you would never guess that Kyleigh faced a serious health challenge. Life took an unexpected turn for Kyleigh when her mom, Kelsey, noticed a bump on her left arm during the family's Memorial Day trip to the pool when she was just six. Kyleigh told her mom she thought she had hurt it a few days before on the trampoline, prompting the family to go to urgent care. Urgent care initially suspected a fracture, but a subsequent examination by an orthopedic specialist resulted in the family going to VCU Massey Cancer Center, where they uncovered a more serious issue: a Rhabdomyosarcoma tumor. Kyleigh's mom, Kelsey, knew that Kyleigh had several unexplained fevers and everyday bumps and bruises from jumping on her trampoline but never suspected childhood cancer. "After the biopsy and diagnosis, we thought she would need her arm amputated. However, surgeons decided to see how the tumor responded to radiation and chemo.  Sure enough, the tumor began to shrink, but amputation was still recommended long-term," explained Kelsey. After the initial shock of her diagnosis, Kyleigh's family began searching for the best path forward. They knew they had to act quickly and do everything possible to protect her future. "I felt like we needed to do all we could to save her arm, so we got a second opinion at the Cleveland Clinic. There, we received more bad news. Kyleigh now had cancer spots in her lungs. We immediately started new chemo and radiation treatments for her lungs. We were devastated," shared Kelsey with a heavy heart as she remembered the day the family received the news. From the early days of Kyleigh's diagnosis, ASK became an integral part of her and her family's journey and was there to lend a helping hand during difficult times. "I had to quit my job to manage Kyleigh's healthcare, so ASK's financial assistance was a lifesaver," remembers Kelsey. “I was pregnant and felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. Grocery and gas gift cards were just the beginning, and the bill assistance ASK provided relieved some of the financial stress of childhood cancer.”  - Kelsey, ASK Kid Kyleigh's Mom In addition to providing financial support, ASK stepped in to help ensure Kyleigh stayed on track in school. ASK's Education Support Navigator, Jon Longenecker, played an integral role in developing her homebound classes and the 504 plan so that Kyleigh would have the support she needed to be successful. Jon is one of six Navigators stationed at each of Virginia's five pediatric cancer treatment centers. These dedicated professionals bridge the gap between hospital inpatient stays and patients' schools, helping them stay on grade level and receive the necessary accommodations to succeed. Today, Kyleigh is thriving and loving life as a third grader. Her medical team keeps a close eye on her to make sure the tumor stays stable, and she's back to doing what she loves! She's even a bit of a local celebrity, having served as the 2023 Anthem Lemonade Ambassador and appearing in Anthem commercials!