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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 Family Support Manager Get In Touch Meet Kim ASK Family Support Manager, 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.”

AT ASK CAREERS Looking to join the ASK team? See if we're hiring > Work seems less like "work" when you’re helping to make life easier for kids with cancer and serious blood disorders. ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation is an Equal Opportunity employer. ASK believes attracting and retaining diverse staff is crucial to serving our community and fulfilling our mission. ASK offers a competitive salary, a pleasant, energetic work environment, and an engaging, purposeful workplace culture. We invite you to learn more about our benefits and open positions! Insurance Coverage Health, dental and vision coverage, short & long-term disability and life insurance* Simple IRA & Match Simple IRA Plan with 100% match (up to 3% of salary) PTO & Holidays Ample paid time off, holidays and summer Fridays Team Building Monthly birthday celebrations and regular get-togethers *Only available for full-time staff at this time. Open Positions We're Hiring! Take a look below to learn more about our open positions and how to apply. Development Operations Coordinator Office Manager Development Operations Coordinator ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation is seeking a full-time (40 hours/week) Development Operations Coordinator to predominately support ASK’s fundraising operations. The position will report to the Director of Philanthropy and work closely with the Development and Marketing Team. The coordinator will be responsible for key development functions, including database management, donation processing, event logistics, communications, and administrative support. ​ Responsibilities ​ Data Entry and Donation Processing: Responsible for the gift entry process. This includes checking mail, copying checks, coding donations, running financial reports, reconciling deposits, etc. Manage donor groups and filters for communications. File all donation-related paperwork for workplace giving and matching gifts. Ensure data integrity by entering and maintaining accurate data in Bloomerang, including gift records, donor information, fundraiser activities, and events. Generate invoices for donations as needed Maintain a written set of procedures for gift entry and acknowledgment. Will serve as a bridge between the Development and Finance teams for all revenue streams, ensuring seamless collaboration and optimized processes. Oversees overall management of Bloomerang and Qgiv, including collaboration with internal constituents, to ensure both are used to their highest potential to drive fundraising results. ​ ​ Donor Relations: Ensure timely, accurate, and personal acknowledgment of all donor gifts. Prepare acknowledgments to family members of memorial and honorary gifts. Assist in composing thank you letter templates and customized thank you letters. Answer general development phone and email inquiries. Development/Fundraising Administrative Support: Support the Development Team in staffing and planning events as needed. Provide administrative and operational support to the Director of Philanthropy and the Development Department. Organize and maintain Development Google Drive. Generate monthly development reports. ​ Education, Experience & Skills A bachelor’s degree may be substituted by experience. At least two years prior administrative experience, preferably in a fundraising/nonprofit setting. Proficiency in modern technology (Google Suites, Canva, Zoom, etc.). Prior experience with Bloomerang or other fundraising databases is preferred. Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Excellent communication skills, especially in writing letters and providing friendly customer service to visitors, callers, and written inquiries. Extreme attention to detail and a passion for accuracy with the ability to achieve results. Superior organizational skills. Ability to successfully manage and execute multiple projects at one time. Effective and open communications about needs and goals Demonstrated ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion and integrity Self-starter who has the ability to work both independently as well as in a team environment. ​ ​ This is a full-time (40 hours per week), in-person position. The salary range starts at $50,000. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. It believes attracting and retaining diverse staff is crucial to serving our community and fulfilling our mission. ASK offers a pleasant, energetic work environment and an engaging, purposeful workplace culture. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@askccf.org by October 19, 2024, with the subject line “Development Operations Coordinator.” ​ About ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation: Founded in 1975, ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation (askccf.org ) is Virginia’s most comprehensive provider of support services for children with cancer and serious blood disorders as well as their families. Our mission is to make their life better by providing emotional, social, financial, and educational support. Apply Office Manager ASK is seeking a full-time (40 hours/week) Office Manager. This person will be the initial contact point for callers and visitors to ASK’s offices. The Office Manager is responsible for overseeing the office's day-to-day operations, ensuring a smooth and efficient work environment. This role includes responsibilities such as managing office supplies, maintaining office equipment, and handling incoming and outgoing mail. The Office Manager will also assist with light bookkeeping tasks and support the HR Manager with administrative duties. ​ ​ Key Responsibilities ​ Office Management: Provide administrative support to the Executive Director. Manage office supplies and equipment, ensuring adequate inventory levels and proper maintenance. Handle incoming and outgoing mail, including sorting, distributing, and scanning documents. Maintain office appearance and cleanliness, including scheduling cleaning services and overseeing common areas. Coordinate office events, meetings, and travel arrangements. Assist with reception duties, including greeting visitors and answering phone calls. ​ Light Bookkeeping : Assist with data entry and maintaining accurate financial records. Process vendor invoices and payments Process payments for financial assistance. Assist with budget preparation and tracking. ​ HR Administrative Support: Provide administrative support to the HR Manager. Assist with onboarding new hires, including preparing paperwork and conducting orientation. Assist with employee offboarding. ​ Education, Experience & Skills A high school diploma or equivalent is required; an associate's degree in business administration or a related field is preferred. Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in an office management role. Must be self-disciplined and motivated to work in a challenging environment. Strong organizational and time management skills. Proficiency in Google Workplace and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook). Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse community of families, volunteers, and staff. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Attention to detail and accuracy. Experience with light bookkeeping and HR administrative tasks is a plus. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds. ​ This is a full-time (40 hours per week), in-person position. The salary range starts at $50,000. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. The position reports to the Director of Finance and Administration. ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. It believes attracting and retaining diverse staff is crucial to serving our community and fulfilling our mission. ASK offers a pleasant, energetic work environment and an engaging, purposeful workplace culture. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@askccf.org by October 19, 2024, with the subject line “Office Manager.” ​ About ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation: Founded in 1975, ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation (askccf.org ) is Virginia’s most comprehensive provider of support services for children with cancer and serious blood disorders as well as their families. Our mission is to make their life better by providing emotional, social, financial, and educational support. Apply

OUR PEOPLE PEOPLE A community of care you can count on. ASK Staff Leadership Team Amy Godkin Executive Director agodkin@askccf.org ext. 102 Rachael Schrinel Director of Philanthropy rschrinel@askccf.org ext. 103 Tina Carter Director of Programs tcarter@askccf.org ext. 110 Barbara Snuggs Director of Finance & Administration bsnuggs@askccf.org ext. 115 Program Team Alma Morgan Associate Director of Education amorgan@askccf.org ext. 117 ​ Kimberly Stroud, MSW Family Support Manager kstroud@askccf.org ext. 106 ​ Michelle Jarnigan-Johnson Young Adult Support Coordinator mjohnson@askccf.org ext. 107 ​ Jessica Harris Program Events Coordinator jharris@askccf.org ext. 114 ​ Laura Pruitt Temporary Program Events Coordinator lpruitt@askccf.org ext. 120 ​ Katie Barber Child Life Specialist kbarber@askccf.org ext. 109 Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU Rev. Rich Catlett, BCC Chaplain rcatlett@askccf.org ext. 108 Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU Jon Longenecker Education Support Navigator jlongenecker@askccf.org ext. 113 Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU Amy Fender Education Support Navigator afender@askccf.org ext. 119 Carilion Children's Grant Pavlik Education Support Navigator gpavlik@askccf.org ext. 118 Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters Lisa Meares Education Support Navigator lmeares@askccf.org ext. 122 Inova Schar Cancer Institute Vanessa Wagener Bilingual Education Support Navigator vwagener@askccf.org ext. 132 Inova Schar Cancer Institute Natalie Duncan Education Support Navigator nduncan@askccf.org ext. 123 UVA Children's Hospital Tammy Long Fredericksburg Community Coordinator tlong@askccf.org ext. 126 ​ Kristen Lahocki First STEP Preschool Teacher klahocki@askccf.org ​ ​ Development Team Hanna Gardner Associate Director of Marketing hgardner@askccf.org ext. 125 Kelsey Olszewski Associate Director of Development kolszewski@askccf.org ext. 105 Matt Gordon Content Marketing Manager mgordon@askccf.org ext. 111 Danielle Hottle Grant Manager dhottle@askccf.org ext. 128 Sarah Kelly Development Operations Coordinator skelly@askccf.org ext. 116 Caitlin Glauser Special Events Coordinator cglauser@askccf.org ext. 129 Claire Baugh Marketing Content Coordinator cbaugh@askccf.org ext. 124 Administration Dayana Bjorkman Office Manager dbjorkman@askccf.org ext. 101 Bailey Harlow Advocacy Coordinator bharlow@askccf.org ext. 127 Amy L. Williams HR Manager awilliams@askccf.org ext. 112 ASK Board of Directors Robert Westermann President Hirschler Fleischer Meg Garner Vice President VPM Media Corp. Gina Honeycutt Secretary & Parliamentarian 12 On Your Side/Gray Media John Pfisterer Treasurer SuperNet, Inc. Leslie Armstrong VCU Medical Center ​ Scott Armstrong Old Dominion Insulation Past President Marc Cheatham Office of U.S. Senator Tim Kaine ​ Makisa George Berkshire Hathaway ​ Leslie Griles LGImpressions, Inc. ​ Kim Keno Capital One ​ Steve McCoy Patient First Past President Kesha Oates Anthem ​ Tim Parent Mungo Homes ​ Connis Tennessee Community Volunteer ​ John Waters Biringer Builders ​ Melissa White Northwestern Mutual ​ Isaac Wright Financial Dynamics & Associates, Inc. ​ Join the Team As we aim to grow our impact, we also need to grow our team. Click below to learn about our open positions! Learn More

“She’s bubbly and talkative all the time,” laughs Shanekqa, mom to ASK Kid Kenya. “When she walks into a room, everyone immediately falls in love with her!” Kenya is a jokester at heart who loves to laugh and make others laugh with her. That’s why Shanekqa knew something was wrong when she watched Kenya slowly withdraw from friends and family, as the pain in her side and back grew stronger. After several months of a steady decline in physical ability, she was taken to the doctor and diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a type of blood cancer that happens  when the bone marrow produces too many abnormal B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.  “My baby was only 10 years old when she was diagnosed with cancer,” Shanekqa remembers. “I was devastated by the news, but ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation was there for both of us. Immediately,   the ASK Clinic and support staff were with us, and I knew I wasn’t going to do this by myself. They made me feel comfortable and relaxed.”  ASK provided food and gas cards, as well as other financial assistance to Kenya’s family. ASK’s Richmond-based Education Support Navigator, Jon Longenecker, worked with Kenya throughout her treatment to help her keep up in school. Jon 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. Kenya continues to benefit from ASK’s tutoring services, social events, and connections to community resources that help relieve some daily stress for her family. "It seems like they know what the families need before we know." - Shaneqka, ASK Kid Kenya's mom “I think we forget about the emotional support these kids need and ASK is here with events to help lift our spirits,” Shaneqka shares with a smile. “Christmas for our entire family was amazing! It seems like they know what the families need before we know, even if it’s providing cleaning services so we can focus on our child.” Kenya loves to draw and wants to be a professional artist someday. For now, in the maintenance phase and taking daily chemotherapy at home, she’s back to enjoying the things she loves: arts and crafts, playing board and card games, cooking and baking, reading, solving riddles – and, of course, making others laugh!

Baby Orin was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma at just 13 months old. He braved extensive chemotherapy to try and shrink the tumor doctors discovered in his liver, but they didn’t work. Orin’s best chance at survival was surgery to remove the right lobe of his liver, followed by more chemo to make sure the cancer stayed away. It was a scary time for his mom, Alex. “I told the doctors to give us all of the news, no matter how hard it was to hear,” Alex remembers. “We wanted to do whatever we needed to do to keep him comfortable and help him survive. We were introduced to ASK on our first day of Clinic, and I knew our family had a lifelong partner in Orin’s battle against cancer, and then survivorship.” Long appointments were made much more fun for Orin and his big sister, Iris, with the help of Katie Barber, ASK’s Child Life Specialist at the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. She works with children and families every day, entertaining them with games and toys from the Clinic toy box, lending emotional support to make the big, scary hospital a bit not-so-scary. ASK also stepped in to support Orin’s family through the many financial challenges often brought on by a pediatric cancer diagnosis. "We didn’t even ask for it, ASK just offered it to us. I can’t tell you how important that support is to us!” - ASK mom Alex “Financially, ASK continues to be a huge help,” Alex explains. “My husband used all of his leave from work and had to take unpaid leave. ASK was able to pay part of our mortgage and regularly provides gas and food cards, which takes away some of the financial stress. We didn’t even ask for it, ASK just offered it to us. I can’t tell you how important that support is to us!”  Orin is now cancer-free and enjoying all the things sweet two-year-old boys like to do: climbing on furniture, throwing things, and having bubble parties with his sister! As Orin continues to improve, his family looks forward to continuing to build community and connection at ASK events like the upcoming ASK Night at the Squirrels and ASK 5K & Fun Walk at the Diamond next May. “We went to the ASK prom, and it was a blast. Although we’re taking it one day at a time, we’re looking forward to meeting other ASK families and experiencing some of the fellowship opportunities now that Orin is finished with treatment,” Alex continues. “This has been a gut-wrenching experience, but we’ve learned to do what we need to do for our child. We don’t have immediate family in the area, so the folks of ASK have become like family. I know that as long as we have the support from ASK to guide us and support us, we’ll be OK, and we can do this thing called ‘childhood cancer!’”

“She has never complained,” shares Eden, reflecting on her daughter Izabella’s cancer journey. “She has never not done what they asked her to do. And she has had that smile on her face the whole time.” That’s just the type of person Izabella is. Yes, she is a cancer patient – but she’s never let that define her. She’s a vibrant and resilient 14-year-old who loves sushi, the color pink, her two cats, and spending time with her friends and family. She’s a devoted student who never lets anything get in the way of her learning. She lights up every room she enters, and stays positive for her future. We are, too. Izabella’s cancer journey started in 8th grade with unexplained headaches, vomiting, and dizziness. Even so, Izabella rarely complained and continued in school. Her mom, Eden, initially chalked her symptoms off as maybe too much screen time, being too tired… not enough water. It wasn’t until an emergency trip to the doctor during the family vacation that the severity of Izabella’s condition became clear. An MRI revealed a mass in her brain, and she soon received her official diagnosis of Medulloblastoma. Because of its location in Izabella’s brain, surgery to remove the tumor caused loss of muscle tone, unsteadiness, and decreased ability to talk. The road to recovery was a challenging one.  "Over the next two weeks, she lost one function after another. By day 15, she could only move her left knee to signal 'yes,' and her right knee for 'no'," Eden remembers. “She spent a month in inpatient rehab learning how to walk, and after we came home, she really started being able to talk again. Most of her speech recovery has come from therapy and singing. She loves singing.” The next phase of treatment included six weeks of daily radiation, six months of chemotherapy, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapies multiple times a week. It was an intensive and tiring schedule that involved a lot of driving to and from appointments and the clinic, which meant expensive gas tabs and a heavy toll on the family car. “The gift cards that ASK gave us for gas got us through. At a certain point during treatment, the brakes were going out on my car. Some places quoted me between three and four thousand dollars. ASK connected us with Midas of Richmond, and they gave us a rental car so we could make it to chemo that day and fixed our brakes for us. They took all of the stress out of it." - ASK mom Eden Going through cancer treatment often makes it difficult for young patients to keep up with their peers in school, but Izabella was determined. ASK’s educational support team members worked with Izabella and her parents to ensure she could continue to excel. She ended up completing her ninth-grade year on the school honor roll. "Tammy (ASK Fredericksburg Community Coordinator) and Jon (ASK Education Support Navigator) have been just so great,” Eden continues. “Izabella was diagnosed in June and wasn’t able to start homebound teaching until December. Tammy’s tutoring was a big part in getting Izabella through. Izabella returns to the classroom for tenth grade in August, and Jon’s been in all the meetings to make sure they are ready for her and that she has any of the accommodations that she needs.” Since her time with ASK, Izabella has also enjoyed a number of social events and opportunities to build community with other kids and families going through the same thing. This summer, she and her family attended our annual family pool party, made friends at ASK Summer Camp, grabbed school supplies and backpack at our back-to-school event, and even threw the first pitch at a Fredericksburg Nationals game! “ASK is who got Izabella connected with the baseball game. She got to throw out the first pitch and has become a local hero in town,” says Eden. “I take her out in public, and people stop us and say, ‘Didn’t I see you at the baseball game?’” Izabella herself was thrilled about the experience, eagerly practicing all week leading up to the game, sharing “I practiced all week!” "Growing closer together, seeing life for what it truly is, experiencing the kindness of humanity, and growing closer in faith are some of the best things to happen since the diagnosis," Eden reflects. "Izabella is a true example of perseverance, grace, courage, and hope. Her smile alone makes the world a brighter place.”