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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. Purchase Here Wash, Rinse, Donate & Repeat for ASK! Date: September 1st - October 31st Time: All Day Place: Flagstop Car Wash All Flagstop Car Wash locations are teaming up to help support our mission! Purchase a car wash in advance at the link below and feel good knowing that 50% of your car wash goes back to ASK! 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. Register Walkin' in Boots 5K Date: October 15th Time: 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM Place: JMU's Festival Lawn 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA, USA Join Dukes Against Childhood Cancer (DACC) in walking a few miles in the boots of those who are currently battling pediatric cancer. This event hosted at JMU invites you to don your favorite cowboy boots and set off to make a difference! All proceeds benefit ASK. 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

Emotional and financial support for families of children with cancer in Virginia. Discover community resources and meet the team who will help ease the journey. Financial Assistance Everyday Relief & Resources In Clinic Support Mental & Emotional Wellbeing Bereavement Support FAMILY SUPPORT SUPPORT We understand how isolating a cancer diagnosis can be. We are here with you every step of the way. As we always say, once an ASK family, always an ASK family. New to ASK? Fill out our Enrollment Form to officially join the ASK community! Enrollment Form Forma de Inscripción Financial Assistance Everyday Relief & Resources In Clinic Support Mental & Emotional Wellbeing Bereavement Support Financial Assistance A childhood cancer diagnosis can be devastating for families, financially as well as emotionally. Expenses during treatment can overwhelm an otherwise financially secure family. ASK is here to help. Qualified families may apply for help paying non-medical (housing, utilities, transportation) bills. We offer financial assistance to families being treated at: Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters UVA Children’s Hospital Carilion Children’s Inova Schar Cancer Institute Children’s National Fredericksburg Apply Now Aplica Aqui We are proud to support families across Virginia in their cancer journey. As a proud partner of Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU for nearly 50 years, we are proud of the following resources and support families can expect while receiving care in the ASK Hematology/Oncology Clinic at CHoR. We hope to expand this support to our other treatment center partners across the state in the future. Everyday Relief & Resources Kim Stroud, MSW Director of Programs Get In Touch Meet Kim ASK's Director of Programs, Kim Stroud, talks with families to see what can make their experience less stressful, often connecting families with financial support and community resources. How She Helps The challenges that come with a childhood cancer diagnosis can look a little different for everyone. Kim provides the level of support that works with your needs, such as: providing gas and grocery gift cards to help ease the financial burden checking in regularly to offer a kind word or listening ear providing a pick-me-up surprise when your child or their siblings feel down connecting you with community partners for everyday needs, such a s a free oil change * Managing your household, bills, and daily responsibilities does not stop after your child’s diagnosis and Kim is there to help alleviate some of that stress for you and your family. We always encourage families to check in with their hospital social worker, too, to see what other organizations may be able to help. *Free oil changes are currently only available for families in active treatment. In Clinic Support Meet Katie ASK Child Life Specialist, Katie Barber (also known as “Miss Katie” to our kids!) is one of the first people you will meet while in clinic. She is here to ease your child’s anxiety as they receive treatment in the ASK Clinic. How She Helps Katie uses medical play to teach kids about what they are going through, like accessing their port. What looks like play is really a clever way to help kids feel less stressed at clinic! This helps them understand what the doctors and nurses are doing to make it less scary. Katie can also help by: providing fun distractions like crafts, games, and playing with toys encouraging your child to do an art project or engage in pretend play to help them express their feelings teaching your child how to find their voice and speak up for what makes them comfortable ASK is proud to fund this child life position at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Katie Barber Child Life Specialist Get In Touch Take the Virtual Tour! Mental & Emotional Wellbeing Rev. Rich Catlett, BCC Chaplain Get In Touch Managing the emotional impacts of a cancer diagnosis is an important part of caring for your child and family. ASK provides funding to Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU to support mental health services for patients, siblings and parents. How We Help The psychology team can help families with a wide range of topics, from pill swallowing and needle phobia to parenting tips to managing ADHD. Mental health support services include: Assessments Individual & Family Therapy Coping Skills & Support Parent Training Pain & Symptom Management Meet Rich ASK Chaplain, Rich Catlett, is available wherever your child is along their treatment journey in the Children’s Hospital of Richmond. Chaplains support families with a strong religious faith as well as those who don’t claim any religion. How He Helps Spiritual support can vary widely, including prayer, addressing concerns about death and after life, dealing with a loss of faith, or discussing ways to use spirituality for strength. Whatever your beliefs, Rich listens to your concerns and helps you process what you are going through. ASK is proud to fund this chaplain position at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Bereavement Support Ev en with the best doctors and medicines, the heartbreaking reality is that some children lose their fight to cancer. We feel your heartache and mourn the loss of your child. Our chapla in and su pport team will be with you throughout your grief and moments of remembrance, as much as you need us to be. ASK financial assistance is available to help with funeral services, and connect you with community grief and loss resources that can help your family process your loss. If you need a break from ASK after you've lost your child, that's okay and completely normal. Know that our community is ready and waiting with open arms to welcome you back, when you're ready. Because once an ASK family, always an ASK family. “Kim has been incredible since day one explaining services and offering/providing support to our family. Kim makes us feel so welcomed and supported.”

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 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 Sign Up YACS BBQ Picnic Date: September 20 Time: 4 PM - 6 PM Place: Cheswick Park - Shelter #1 Cheswick Park, Forest Avenue, Regency, VA, USA Get ready to grill and chill with your YACS community! Come out to Cheswick Park for a BBQ picnic packed with good food, great company, and a chance to spend time with fellow survivors. It's going to be a "grill-iant" time! Email Michelle at mjohnson@askccf.org to reserve your spot today! Email Michelle to Sign Up YACS Paint Night Date: October 9 Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Place: ASK Family Center 5211 W. Broad St Suite 100 Richmond, VA 23230 Time to unleash your inner artist! Join fellow YACS for a night of painting, connection, dinner, and good vibes at the ASK Family Center. Email Michelle today at mjohnson@askccf.org to reserve your spot! Email Michelle to Sign Up Middle School & High School Fall Retreat Date: October 11 - October 12 Time: 10 AM - 10 AM Place: Camp Hanover Camp Hanover, Parsleys Mill Road, Mechanicsville, VA, USA We invite our Middle & High School-age cancer survivors to join us for an overnight of fall-themed fun, games, and friends! Reserve your spot now with Michelle at (804) 402-1153 OR at mjohnson@askccf.org Sign Up Teen Game Day Date: October 18 Time: 12 PM - 2 PM Place: ASK Family Center 5211 W. Broad St Suite 100 Richmond, VA 23230 Join us for an afternoon of games, pizza, and fun at the ASK Family Center! All of our ASK Teens and teen siblings, ages 12-18, are welcome to come hang out, enjoy lunch, and play some awesome games together. 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.

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!