Site Search

Get in touch with ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation. Contact us for information about family programs, how to get involved, partnership opportunities and more. CONTACT Have a question about our programs? Maybe a specific question about getting involved? Send us a message below! Helpful Links Submit Thanks for reaching out! A member of our team will get back to you as soon as they can. Helpful links: Financial assistance information, requirements and how to apply Ways to give and support ASK kids and families Volunteer information and opportunities to lend a hand About ASK program events and how to sign up Need to reach a specific member of our team? Address 5211 W. Broad St Suite 100 Richmond, VA 23230 Phone (804) 658-5910 Email info@askccf.org

Oh no! We're sorry, but this page doesn't exist. The link you clicked may be broken or the page may have been removed. Back to Homepage

Empowering families: Join our Webinar Series on childhood cancer and sickle cell disease. Expert insights, personal stories & valuable topics. Register now for upcoming webinars! WEBINAR SERIES SERIES ASK's webinar series provides information and support to families to help them navigate the childhood cancer & blood disorder journey. Hear from guest experts as well as parents, teens, and young adults who shared their lived experiences. Previous Webinars ASK Us About: Class In-Services ASK Us About: Positivity More Videos

Join us for enriching program events! A community for kids with cancer, helping families build connections through fun activities. ASK: where community and care unite. PROGRAM EVENTS EVENTS Our program events are offered to patients and survivors enrolled with ASK, as well as their families. We offer program events for the entire family, but also events for specific members in your family or for specific age groups. Learn more about the types of program events we offer, who they’re for, and which ones are available in your region, below! Explore ASK Events Family Events Tap for Details Young Adult Events Tap for Details Preschool Events Tap for Details Sibling-Only Events Tap for Details After School Socials Tap for Details Parent-Only Events Tap for Details Latino Family Events Tap for Details Teen Events Tap for Details 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.

Browse our video library for answers to your most common questions (and questions you didn't know you had!) as you navigate your childhood cancer journey – from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment, and into survivorship. VIDEO LIBRARY LIBRARY Browse our video library for answers to your most common questions (and questions you didn't know you had!) as you navigate your childhood cancer journey – from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment, and into survivorship. ASK a Nurse Family Support Community Support Survivorship Support Educational Support ASK a Nurse Have a question about the treatment process? Our nurses in the ASK Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU have an answer. Emla Cream and Port Access How do I apply emla cream to my child’s port before it is accessed? Neutropenia What is “neutropenia” and what does it mean for my child? Blood Counts What do my child's blood counts mean, and why are they like that? Making Appointments How do I make a follow-up appointment at clinic? High Temperature What do I do if my child has a fever? Provider On Call What do I do if I need to reach a doctor or nurse when the clinic is closed? Procedure Days What do I do if I need to reach a doctor or nurse when the clinic is closed? Chemotherapy Days What can I expect when my child has an appointment for chemotherapy at clinic? Blood Count Days What can I expect when my child has an appointment for blood counts? Family Support Hear from the ASK psychosocial team and learn how to best support your entire family as your child goes through treatment, as well as how ASK is here to support you. Intro to ASK Family Support Programs Kim, ASK’s Family Support Manager, is often the first person you will hear from after your child’s diagnosis. She helps our families with gift cards and other support services to lighten the load. Parenting a Child in Treatment: An Overview Learn about the mental health support ASK offers to all our parents and families as their child goes through treatment. How Parents Cope It is important for parents of children in treatment to seek healthy coping mechanisms. Coping does not look the same for everyone and can change over time. Parenting Your Preschooler or Elementary School Age Child in Treatment Effectively parenting a child with a chronic or life-threatening illness will look differently depending on the age of the child. Parenting Your Teen in Treatment Parenting a teen, who is defining their identity and becoming more independent, comes with different challenges when diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Parenting the Sibling of a Child in Treatment Make sure to set aside time for the siblings in your family and include them in the routine of taking care of their ill sibling. Social & Emotional Issues During Treatment A childhood cancer diagnosis brings up many uncomfortable emotions in your child and family. It can disrupt social structures like school and friendships. These are all normal responses to an abnormal childhood experience. Relapse If your child's cancer returns, your child and family can experience strong emotions as a result. Grief & Bereavement Support Grief is unique to each family and family member. You may feel angry and alone. Our chaplain can be with you as you grieve. Community Support Just as there is strength in numbers, there’s strength in finding your sense of community as you navigate the changes and emotions that come with childhood cancer treatment. Communicating Your Child's Diagnosis It is helpful to have a plan for what information you will be sharing with friends and family and how you will be sharing it. Learn about options available, including online forums. Handling the “What Ifs” of Childhood Cancer It is easy to feel overwhelmed by all the “what ifs,” but it is important to remember the people and resources that can help you stay in the present moment. Grief, Anger, Guilt and Exhaustion When a life-changing crisis like childhood cancer strikes, grief, anger, and guilt are all natural – but often lead to exhaustion. There are resources to help you through. Finding Your Way Over the Course of Childhood Cancer Treatment Your family’s lifestyle and outside activities will ebb and flow as your child goes through treatment. Each phase comes with certain guidelines and accommodations. Relaxing Again After Cancer Treatments End Finding your way post-treatment when you no longer need to be in a state of constant vigilance takes time and self-care. It should not be a cause of anxiety itself. ASK Us About: Positivity In this webinar, we discuss how to approach challenging behaviors and situations with positivity, and strategies to respond thoughtfully when emotions are high. Presenter, ASK Education Support Navigator, Lisa Meares, brings a wealth of experience in this area as a former social emotional special education teacher. ASK Us About: Coping with Emotions and Anxiety In this webinar, we cover what is happening in the brain and body when we experience anxiety, tips for coping with anxiety and stress, and when to seek additional help. Survivorship Support Transitioning into survivorship after cancer treatment comes with its own set of emotional, cognitive, and physical challenges. We are here to help you understand and overcome them. Transitioning to Survivorship While it can be difficult to leave behind the team of doctors and nurses who treated your child, there are important reasons to transition your child's care to the survivorship team. Late Effects of Pediatric Cancer Treatment The health care team at the survivorship clinic can identify and address physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and vocational late side effects from pediatric cancer treatment. The Importance of Long-Term Survivorship Care and Support As pediatric cancer treatment improves and more children are surviving into adulthood, it is important to stay connected to a multi-disciplinary health care team who can follow their health. Psychological Care for Survivors Mental health support services are an important part of survivorship care to navigate the challenges of post-treatment life. Social & Emotional Issues in Survivorship Social and emotional challenges are common for pediatric cancer survivors and their families. The survivorship clinic team can help and offer additional resources. What’s a “Normal Life” After Childhood Cancer Treatment? Families may have to redefine their goals and accept changes after pediatric cancer treatment has ended. ASK Us About: Returning to Normalcy In this webinar, we discuss the small steps you can take to help find normalcy and develop routines for children and teens who have been diagnosed with and treated for cancer. Educational Support Learn about the long-lasting effects of cancer treatment on your child’s ability to learn, and what ASK can do to make their education and the steps after high school a little easier. Recognizing Cognitive Late Effects in Education It may be difficult to assess if cognitive late effects are affecting a child's ability to learn, but assessments and recommendations by an educational consultant, along with the ASK Education Toolkit , can help. Educational & Vocational Issues in Survivorship Attending survivorship clinic appointments allows staff to address emerging educational and vocational issues, as well as alert you to upcoming social opportunities. ASK Us About: Educational Plans (504/IEP) In this webinar, we discuss the types of support and accommodations your child can receive to help them be more successful in school. We talk about the child study process, as well as the differences between a 504 plan and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). ASK Us About: Class In-Services When a child goes back to school during or after treatment, classmates have a lot of questions. A class in-service presentation can help answer all these questions and more. An in-service helps classmates feel more comfortable and shares ideas on how to be a helpful friend.

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 20th Anniversary Twenty years have led to this moment: Join us for the 20th anniversary of Virginia's most inspiring community event! The ASK 5K & Fun Walk is so much #MoreThanAWalk, as it 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. Register 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. Stay tuned for more information about next year's gala on March 1, 2025, as we mark an incredible milestone with ASK's 50th anniversary! About ASK Gala 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.

Explore ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation's journey and legacy in supporting children and families affected by cancer and sickle cell disease in Virginia since 1975. OUR HISTORY HISTORY Lending a helping hand for 50 years! ASK began in the mid-1970s with a group of parents whose kids were in treatment for cancer. Through months of sitting together in the hospital waiting room, they got to know each other’s stories. For the first time since diagnosis, they felt like someone understood what they were going through. They recognized the need for support and wanted others to feel supported, too. These parents, with members of the pediatric hematology/oncology team at MCV Hospital (now the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU), decided to do something to help. Pooling ideas and resources, this group of dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly to lessen the burden of childhood cancer for local families by providing social, emotional, spiritual and financial support. We still believe in this holistic approach to making life better for families of children battling cancer. Today, we also help childhood cancer survivors, siblings, and parents successfully navigate new realities. Take a trip down memory lane with us! Let's create new memories together! We have so much to look forward to here at ASK, and we know our community will shine even brighter with you in it. Get Involved

Stay informed with the latest ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation media stories. Read and watch news updates on how ASK is making an impact in Virginia. IN THE NEWS NEWS Looking for Press Releases? > Featured Story May 2024 19th Annual 5K and Fun Run held at The Diamond raised money to support childhood cancer programs Read More Previous Stories May 2024 ASK 5K & Fun Walk raises record breaking amount of money March 2024 ASK 5K and Fun Walk Returns to Richmond February 2024 WDBJ7 Roanoke: ASK Kid Nikolas’s Journey through Pediatric Cancer and the Support of ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation January 2024 CBS6 News Richmond: ASK Parents and Pediatric Cancer Survivors Drive Home Need to Continue Funding for Education Navigator Program Across the Commonwealth at Childhood Cancer Advocacy Day February 2023 New program helps young cancer patients return to classroom July 2022 Supporting children, families facing pediatric cancer June 2022 Virginia budget funds new position at UVA Children’s Hospital April 2022 Sponsoring an 'ultra-marathoner' who is going the distance to fight childhood cancer December 2021 Drive-thru Christmas party brightens these deserving kids and their families November 2021 A Growing Effort September 2021 Governor’s mansion turns gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month September 2021 Virginia's Executive Mansion goes gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month September 2021 ‘Go Gold” with ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation September 2021 Health Watch: Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month July 2021 Dunkin’ donates $10,000 to ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation July 2021 Doubling in size, ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation unveils new “Family Center” December 2020 Charity Begins on Zoom November 2020 ASK 2020 Donut Run: taking our donuts to-go this year! September 2020 Champions for Charity tournament raises money for ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation February 2020 History Makers: ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation September 2019 Kids kicking childhood cancer honored with portraits in Virginia exhibit November 2017 A Very Good Day Are you writing a story about ASK? Please contact Hanna Gardner, Associate Director of Marketing, for media kit materials, brand guidelines, and communication materials at hgardner@askccf.org.

Learn about ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation's Privacy Policy. Your privacy matters. Find information on data collection, protection, and more. Privacy Policy Your privacy is of great importance to us and our website has been developed with that in mind. We recognize your right to know what information is being collected about you and how that information will be used, as well as our obligations to protect what we do collect. Our privacy policy tells you about our information practices when you visit us online to browse, obtain information, or request services, such as making a pledge. The policy includes, among other things, what data is collected and why; ways for you to access information or submit inquiries; security features; and website analysis tools used. ASK respects your privacy while you are an online visitor to our website. At our site, we do not collect personal information unless you provide it to us voluntarily and knowingly. We acknowledge your right to: know what purpose the information gathered might be used. know with what other entities the information gathered might be shared. a guarantee of reasonable security of any data collected. a guarantee of data accuracy and fidelity. access to data gathered to ensure accuracy and fidelity. choose not to be included in any use of the data unrelated to the stated purpose for which the data was collected. choose not to be included in any transfer of data to any third party for any use unrelated to the stated purpose for which the data was collected. Our Commitment to Our Donors Donor Privacy Policy. We will not sell, share or trade our donors’ names or Personal Information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations. This Donor Privacy Policy applies to all information received by ASK, both online and offline, on any Platform, as well as any electronic, written or verbal communications. Information We Collect About You Personal Information. We may collect the following types of personal information: Information provided by you when requesting information through the site. For example, you may be required to submit personal information such as your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address in order to join our email list or register for an event. Credit or debit card, or bank account information collected from you when making a donation. Information you provide us through customer service correspondence and general feedback. Non-personal Information. When you visit the site, we may collect non-personal information, such as a catalog of the Site pages you visit. Non-personal information is generally collected through the Site from the following sources: server log files, cookies, and other technologies and information that you voluntarily provide. Cookies and similar technologies. We and our service providers may use "cookies" or similar technologies on our Site. A cookie is a piece of data stored on your computer that ties your computer to a web server for recordkeeping purposes. Most browsers allow you to control the use of cookies on your computer. If you choose to limit the use of cookies on your computer, we may not be able to provide you the services you request on our Site. Cookies, when used, are not persisted. Server log files. Your Internet Protocol (IP) address is logged in our server log files along with other information about your activity on our Site. We use your IP address to calculate Site usage levels, help diagnose problems with our servers, and generally administer the Site. Collecting IP addresses is standard practice on the Internet. How We Use Information We Collect Personal Information: We may use the personal information we collect in the following ways: Fulfillment of requests. We may use your personal information to provide you with the services you requested. Administrative communications. From time to time, we may use the personal information you provide us to contact you about the services you have ordered or important changes to the site. Because this information may be important to your use of the site, the fulfillment of your request, or required by Federal regulation, you may not opt-out of receiving such communications. Non-personal Information: Because non-personal information does not personally identify you, we may use such information for any purpose. Accessing and Modifying Information and Communication Preferences Upon request, ASK will grant individuals reasonable access to Personal Information that we and our agents hold about them. For example, visitors to the Platform who have provided Personal Information to us may review and/or make changes to the same by contacting ASK. In addition, individuals may manage their receipt of marketing communications by clicking on the “unsubscribe” link located on the bottom of any ASK marketing e-mail or by following the instructions found on the Platform. We will use commercially reasonable efforts to process such requests in a timely manner. How We Protect Your Information We take appropriate security measures to protect against unauthorized access to data. These measures include internal and external reviews of our data collection, storage, and processing practices and security measures, including physical security measures to guard against unauthorized access to systems where we store personal data. We restrict access to personal information to employees and contractors who need to know that information in order to operate, develop, or improve our services. These individuals are bound by confidentiality obligations and may be subject to discipline, including termination and criminal prosecution, if they fail to meet these obligations. When visitors to our Site provide personal information, the data is encrypted and protected using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol. Changes to this Privacy Policy Please note that this Privacy Policy may change from time to time. We will not reduce your rights under this Privacy Policy without your explicit consent. We will post any Privacy Policy changes on this page and, if the changes are significant, we will provide a more prominent notice. Inquiries Please direct any questions or concerns regarding this privacy policy or ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation’s treatment of personal information by contacting us or you may write to us at ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation, 5211 W Broad Street, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23230. We will investigate and respond to your inquiry. Your inquiry will be treated confidentially, and will not be shared with external parties, except service providers and those who govern and oversee ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation. Last Updated: 08/01/23

Stay connected with ASK with email or text updates! Opportunities to give, volunteer or advocate with ASK to support children with cancer in Virginia. Stay Connected with ASK Sign up to hear about opportunities to give, volunteer or advocate with ASK, and receive monthly stories to meet the children and families your generosity is helping to support. First Name* Last Name* Email* What types of messages would you like to receive from us?* Feel Good Stories Ways to Give Volunteer Opportunities Event Notices Advocacy Please provide just a few more optional details about you that will allow us to keep you more engaged! Phone Number Birthday Month Month Day Year Subscribe

Empowering support: ASK's resources for parents, caregivers & educators of children with cancer. Education toolkit, videos, webinars, and more! RESOURCES Empowering parents, caregivers, and teachers with the know-how to best support a child with cancer. Whether at home, in clinic, or in the classroom, there are a lot of things to learn when it comes to supporting a child with cancer. A childhood cancer diagnosis introduces a maze of brand-new medical terms, unfamiliar routines and procedures, and many new and overwhelming emotions. It can also greatly impact educational needs during treatment and into survivorship. ASK is here to offer a helping hand. Education Toolkit Missed days and late-term side effects from treatment are just some challenges kids with cancer face with school. We designed our education toolkit to support our kids every step of the way as they transition back to the classroom. Learn More Video Library Learn the ins and outs of the ASK clinic, ways to best support your child from diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond, how to cope with the unique emotions that come with caring for a child with cancer, and much more. Learn More Conferences ASK hosts an annual educator conference for teachers and other school personnel to learn about the support kids with cancer might need as they go through treatment and return to school. They also learn how to create an environment where survivors can learn and thrive. Learn More Webinar Series Our webinars cover a variety of educational and mental health topics meant to empower parents, teens, and young adults affected by childhood cancer and sickle cell disease. Learn More Additional Resources Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, "Coping with Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma" Children's Oncology Group, "Health Link: Educational Issues Following Treatment for Childhood Cancer" Children's Oncology Group, "Health Link: Emotional Issues After Childhood Cancer" Leukemia Lymphoma Society, "14 Essential Things to Know When Childhood Cancer Touches Your School" Understood.com, "Slow Processing Speed and Anxiety: What You Need to Know" Hope Portal, Childhood Cancer Organization Database

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.