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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.

Connect and build community through ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation. From family gatherings to program events for patients, survivors and siblings of all ages, find support, connection and understanding. COMMUNITY & CONNECTION CONNECTION Cancer treatment and survivorship can feel very isolating. Social connection with others who understand the unique challenges along the childhood cancer journey is helpful for the whole family. Our goal is to build opportunities for community and connection among ASK kids, siblings, parents and caregivers. See our most popular opportunities for community & connection below, and explore our Program Events to learn more about all the different types of events we offer throughout the year! ASK Program Events Summer Camp Every summer we host camp in Richmond and Fredericksburg. ASK’s Summer Camp is a day camp experience for ASK kids and their siblings. We understand and accommodate the range of emotional, physical, and developmental challenges that can follow cancer treatment. We do crafts, play games, tell stories, and talk openly and confidently about the cancer experience. We also welcome guests from around our community for interactive activities and learning opportunities. Younger kids can meet older kids who are survivors, too. Best of all, they make friends. Retreats ASK holds retreats throughout the year; two for middle school and high school survivors and one for young adult cancer survivors (YACS) . Held at local camps and conference centers, the retreats include team-building activities, games, wellness topics and connection with peers. Holiday Cheer Our annual Holiday Party is a tradition that every ASK family loves. Families come out to celebrate the season, meet up with friends, and remember all of the fun events we have enjoyed throughout the year. Everyone loves stopping for a photo with Santa, eating snacks, dancing to music, and leaving with a special present to start the holiday season off right! For families with children in active treatment who cannot attend our Holiday Party, we provide private 1-on-1 visits with Santa at the ASK Family Center for maximum safety and comfort. Parent & Caregiver Socials We hold quarterly Parent & Caregiver Socials in our ASK Family Center. These even ts provide a chance for parents to connect in a safe space, share experiences, and lend a listening ear! Each social includes a fun activity to enjoy as they meet other parents navigating life after a cancer diagnosis. We als o provide quarterly Parent Night Out events to allow parents a chance to get out and enjoy a night to themselves. Sibling Socials Often when one child in a family has a complex medical diagnosis siblings feel left out. We offer special events just for siblings to come together and play laser tag, go horseback riding, or enjoy a glow party! These events make the sibling the focus of attention and bring them together with other kids in their same situation, cancer affects all members of a family. ASK Family Center Opened in May 2021, the Family Center is ASK’s colorful, kid-friendly “home base.” It’s a meeting place for fun events. It’s a safe space for parents and caregivers to gather to tell their stories. It’s a big, open room with movable furniture for kids to play after their homework is done. It’s where we want you to gather and feel at home. It’s where we work, learn, and play! Take a Tour "Your retreats are such a beautiful part of my year. It's our annual family reunion. We get to check in on each other, support each other, and welcome new people that need our community." - Young Adult Can cer Survivor