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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 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. Sign Up Kids in the Kitchen Date: August 28 Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Place: HOPE Church 11121 Leavells Rd, Fredericksburg, VA 22407, USA Fredericksburg ASK Kids, Teens, and Siblings ages 5 and up are invited to cook up some foodie fun with their ASK friends. Be sure to join us as we mix, measure, and create some yummy memories together! * Dinner will be provided 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 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: Regístrese Noche de cine: Coco Date: 24 de julio Time: 18:00 - 20:00 Place: ASK Family Center 5211 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230, USA ¡Llamando a todos nuestros niños y hermanos de ASK de 5 a 17 años para que se unan a nosotros en la oficina de ASK para una noche de película! Estaremos proyectando la película de Disney, Coco. La trama de Coco, de Disney-Pixar, sigue a Miguel, un niño de 12 años en México que cruza accidentalmente al Mundo de los Muertos. A pesar de la prohibición de la música que su familia ha mantenido por generaciones, se une a un encantador astuto llamado Héctor para encontrar a su tatarabuelo, un músico legendario, y descubrir la verdad detrás de la historia de su familia. Sign Up Parent Night Out- Movie Night: Coco Date: July 24 Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Place: ASK Family Center 5211 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230, USA Calling our ASK kids and siblings ages 5-17 years old to join us at the ASK office for a movie night! We will be playing the Disney film, Coco. The plot of Disney-Pixar's Coco follows Miguel, a 12-year-old boy in Mexico who accidentally crosses into the Land of the Dead. Despite his family's generations-old ban on music, he teams up with a charming trickster named Héctor to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary musician, and unlock the truth behind his family's history. 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.

Press Releases June 17, 2026 ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation and Stanley Martin Homes Partner to Create Dream Bedroom for 10-Year-Old Santiago Read More 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 Go Back

For most 16-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!

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.