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Press Releases May 4, 2026 ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Announces 21st Annual ASK 5K and Fun Walk Presented by Anthem Read More July 7, 2025 ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation announced the departure of Rachael Schrinel who has served as Director of Philanthropy. Read More April 3, 2025 ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Announces 20th Annual ASK 5K and Fun Walk Sponsored by Anthem Read More March 1, 2024 ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Selected as Charity of Choice for 28 Jersey Mike’s Subs Locations during Month of Giving Campaign Read More March 19, 2024 ASK Above & Beyond Gala Raises Unprecedented Support for Children Battling Cancer in Virginia Read More February 28, 2024 ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Announces 19th Annual ASK 5K and Fun Walk Sponsored by Anthem Read More August 28, 2024 ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Launches GlowGold Campaign to Light Up Virginia for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – Charlottesville Read More August 28, 2024 ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Launches GlowGold Campaign to Light Up Virginia for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – Hampton Roads Read More August 28, 2024 ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Launches GlowGold Campaign to Light Up Virginia for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – Northern Virginia Read More August 28, 2024 ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Launches GlowGold Campaign to Light Up Virginia for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – Southwest Virginia Read More August 28, 2024 ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Launches GlowGold Campaign to Light Up Virginia for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – Richmond Read More November 6, 2023 Cancer Warrior Ivie's Enchanted Journey: ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Partners with Unicorn World for a Day of Magic and Joy Read More Go Back

Stay informed about ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation's COVID-19 Policy. Learn about safety measures, masking guidelines, and more. COVID-19 Policy Background ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation (“ASK”) is committed to maintaining a workplace that is free of known hazards and to safeguarding the health of the patients and families whom it serves while providing critical in-person opportunities for community, connection and support. This policy is intended to comply fully with applicable state and federal laws and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and other health authorities. Public health measures and guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic remain in flux, and ASK reserves the right to amend this policy from time to time to stay abreast of and consistent with such measures and guidance. Policy Subject to the remaining provisions of this policy: During periods when the CDC’s Community Level of COVID-19 is “high” : When ASK families are present, ASK employees and contractors will be masked when in any ASK facility unless (i) they are alone in an office, or (ii) they are in a public area and able to maintain six (6) feet of distance from other persons; Visitors to ASK facilities will be masked; Mask policy at indoor events will be determined in consultation with the venue and executive committee. Masks will be optional at outdoor events unless required by the venue; and Individual requests for exemption from mask requirements due to disability will be subject to review and accommodation consistent with state and federal law. During periods when the CDC’s Community Level of COVID-19 is “medium” or lower : ASK employees and contractors are permitted but not required to mask when in ASK facilities; Visitors to ASK facilities are permitted but not required to mask; and Mask policy at events will be determined in consultation with the venue and executive committee. ASK will make this policy or a summary available to all visitors. Other ASK policies related to COVID-19 and/or workplace safety remain in effect. Definitions For purposes of this policy: CDC’s Community Level of COVID-19 may be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html The ASK Family Center is located in Henrico County. Fredericksburg program events are located in Fredericksburg City. These localities are used when determining CDC Community Level guidance per event.

Attend ASK's signature events for a fun way to support kids with cancer and their families. ASK Donut Run, Above & Beyond Gala, ASK 5K & Fun Walk, and more! SIGNATURE EVENTS EVENTS Attend an event. Have fun. Do good. It’s that simple! Going to an ASK event is the most common way folks get involved, and if you ever find yourself at one, you’re sure to see why! We pride ourselves on having the most fun-filled fundraisers in town. ASK hosts several annual events to raise funds that directly support kids with cancer and their families. The ASK 5K & Fun Walk For over 20 years, this springtime tradition has been so much #MoreThanAWalk. The ASK 5K & Fun Walk brings families battling childhood cancer, their supporters, and the greater community together for a day of camaraderie, connection and kindness – all while raising funds to benefit ASK's programs and support services. Walk, run, or cheer with us on May 16, 2026. For more information about the ASK 5K & Fun Walk, visit askwalk.org . View Walk details ASK Above & Beyond Gala It’s ASK’s biggest night to bring together our big-hearted community, and help make the impossible possible for our ASK kids and families! In the past five years, our gala community has raised over $5 million - amazing! - all to provide joy and hope to childhood cancer patients and their families. Join us on March 21, 2026 at Main Street Station for the ASK Above & Beyond Rockstar Gala. It will be a night celebrating our courageous ASK rockstars. For more information about the ASK Gala, visit askgala.org . View Gala details Sponsor an ASK Signature Event Our events go from awesome to super-mega-awesome because of the support we get from our incredible partners and sponsors. These generous local businesses and organizations give back by sponsoring our events because doing good feels good, and it’s also really fun for everyone! Dr. Larry Scarborough and friends at James River Orthodontics are one of our long-time ASK event sponsors. For almost a decade , they’ve helped bring smiles to our kids' faces – and ours! See why supporting ASK’s mission means so much to them. Interested in becoming a sponsor? We'd love to have you! Please contact Kelsey Olszewski, Associate Director of Development at kolszewski@askccf.org to get started.

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.

For most 15-year-olds, life is about hanging out with friends, playing video games, and looking forward to the independence. For Riley, a vibrant teen who loves LEGO sets, Minecraft, and—most of all—swimming, that typical journey took an unexpected turn in March of 2025. Riley was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a cancerous tumor located at the top of his tibia. For Riley, who has Down Syndrome, this diagnosis was exceptionally rare; his family learned there are only two documented cases in medical journals, making Riley a true pioneer and a case study for his medical team. The diagnosis was a whirlwind, but the family wasn't facing cancer for the first time. Riley’s father, Will, had battled the disease three years prior. "Watching him go through chemo and lose his hair was hard, but to see his daddy go through it and come out fine—I think that actually helped him," Riley’s mom, Beth, recalls. The family leaned on each other for strength, forming what Riley dubbed the "Power Hero Family Alliance." In this alliance, everyone has a special color and strength; Riley gave himself the blue superpower of speed and his mom the pink power of love! Treatment for Ewing Sarcoma is intensive. Riley’s journey included six rounds of chemotherapy, surgery to remove the tumor, and an additional eight rounds of chemotherapy. Because the passage of time can be a difficult concept to grasp with Down Syndrome, Beth created a clever way for Riley to track his hospital stays using construction paper rings. "He doesn't understand the passage of time day by day, but he was able to tear a ring off every day, and when he got to the last ring, he knew that was a day to get home." ASK stepped in from the very beginning to "lighten the load" for the Power Hero Family Alliance. While Riley was in the clinic, ASK staff like Katie would "swoop in" to distract Riley with games, giving his parents the vital space to discuss details with doctors. "That gave us time to react to what was being said and gather our wits before he had to see that," Beth remembers. The support extended to every part of their journey, including financial assistance, easing some of the day-to-day stress. "The financial assistance was amazing and took a load off," Will shares. "The utility payments, not having to worry about those... the cards for gas came in handy. The food gift cards really came into use, and the cafeteria vouchers really came in handy when we were in-patient." ASK also ensured that Riley's community understood his journey. While they didn't need continual school assistance, ASK Education Support Navigator Jon Longenecker "went into our virtual classroom and did a presentation for his classmates so he could prepare his classmates for the change," his dad explains. Beyond the practical, ASK provided joy through inclusive events. "Everything ASK provided was accessible, and that was amazing," the family notes, recalling how Riley "stood 10 inches taller" in his suit at the ASK and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR) Prom. He also had a blast at the Annual ASK Holiday Party. Throughout 14 rounds of chemo and surgery, Riley never lost his sense of humor or his love for hugs. The hard work reached a beautiful milestone in October 2025, when Riley finally got to ring the bell, seven months after his diagnosis. Today, after his surgical wound finally cleared up, Riley is officially free to do what he loves most: swim! Riley and his family also plan on attending more ASK events where they can build relationships and friendships with other ASK families. "I can't say enough good things about ASK," Beth says. "It's nice to know you are still family into the future!"

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!