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We're here to make life a little Give Today Your generosity means kids like Zion don't have to face cancer or serious blood disorders alone. Zion, 3 Sickle Cell Disease 6-7 children are diagnosed with cancer every week in Virginia. Let’s give them a hand and help make life better any way we can. Get Involved News & Updates See how your generosity helped Zion and his family find hope, comfort and community when they needed it most. Read More > We're running low on snacks and treasure chest toys for our kids at clinic – can you lend a helping hand? Donate Now > You're going to 'fall' for ASK's autumn programs! See what events and socials are coming up in your community. Sign Up > How we help our families: Community & Connection Fighting cancer can be an isolating experience. We helped our kids and families build meaningful connections throughout 2022 with more than 100 program events. Educational Support On average, kids miss 43 days of school during their first year of treatment. In 2022, we helped them stay on grade level with more than 1,200 hours of online tutoring. Financial Assistance Half of all families with a child in treatment will experience severe financial hardship. In 2022, we helped 140 families stay afloat with nearly $200,000 to cover everyday expenses. Learn More Through your generosity, we've been able to provide Assistance, Support, and Kindness to over 1,000 people in our community impacted by childhood cancer. People like ASK parents Andrew and Rebecca Frantz, and their son, Owen. ​ Meet the Frantz family as they share their story, and how your support provided the care and community they needed to make it through the impossible. They’re one amazing family! See More Impact Connect with ASK Like Follow Subscribe Browse Sign up for Email or Text Updates

WEBINAR 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 experience. Topic: Educational Plans (504/IEP) Date: October 19, 2023 Join us to discuss the types of supports and accommodations your child can receive to help them to be more successful in school. We will talk about the child stud y process, as well as the differences between a 504 plan and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Register Upcoming Webinars 2023: October 19: Educational Plans (504/IEP) November 9: Coping with Emotions & Anxiety ​ 2024: January 11: Positivity February 15: Siblings March 14: Educational & Vocational Planning April 11: Supporting Younger Learners May 9: Transitions Previous Webinars Ask Us About: Returning to Normalcy

Link-in-Bio Welcome! Visit some of our most popular pages below. To see more of our website, tap the menu icon in the top right corner. Fall Clinic Snack Drive Donate Now Ways to Give For Families Get Involved Upcoming Events ASK Blog Photo Albums Contact Us About ASK Sign up for updates >

ABOUT Assistance, Support and Kindness since 1975. ASK Mission Making Life Better for Children with Cancer and their Families Vision To serve as a leading source of support for children with cancer Our Guiding Principles We believe in children and families first Be ethical Be mission driven Be responsible stewards of resources Be an open and collaborative community partner Be proactive as well as responsive Be creative and innovative Be compassionate at all times You’re in good hands. ASK has been helping families in Central Virginia for almost 50 years. Our History Our team is ready to provide care and support every step of the way. Our People Every single dollar you give stays here to help families in our community. Our Financials ASK is making life better! But you don't have to take our word for it. Check out what our kids and families have to say about how ASK has made their cancer journey a little easier. Careers at ASK Work seems less like "work" when you’re helping to make life easier for children with cancer and serious blood disorders and their families. Join the Team Program Events Our educational and social events are offered to patients and survivors enrolled with ASK, as well as their families, free of charge. Learn More Get in Touch Do you have a question about our programs? Maybe a specific question about getting involved? Send us a message below! Contact Us

ASK KOURAGEOUS KIDS A cornerstone of ASK since 2001, the Kourageous Kids campaign was created in honor of September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This special, month-long tribute started as a traveling exhibit, to share inspiring quotes and beautiful portraits of courageous childhood cancer patients and survivors in our community. Now, more than two decades later, we're proud to say we’ve continued this important legacy with our ASK kids and families every year since! Each year, we invite parents to share their child’s unique story and personality through professionally captured portraits, along with an in-depth interview to talk about their diagnosis and treatment journey. The portraits are unveiled at our annual Kourageous Kids Party, where all of the Kourageous Kids and their families from that year come together to connect, have fun and celebrate the strength and resilience of our childhood cancer community! Kourageous Kids portraits are also displayed around town to help spread awareness during September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Photos and stories are then shared digitally throughout the year. It's our great honor to share these important stories, and the incredible strength of our ASK families, with the world. With their help, we can advocate for more support for patients and survivors just like them all across Virginia! Meet our Kourageous Kids Meet ASK Kid Zion For the most part, three-year-old Zion is your typical toddler: he loves dinosaurs, superheroes and wrestling with his older brothers.... Meet ASK Kid Tallulah On Mother’s Day of 2022, Melissa and her then two-year-old daughter, Tallulah, tested positive for Covid-19. Nothing was the same after... Meet ASK Kid Monica When Monica was told she had leukemia, she considered ending her own life. A single mom of two young children who speaks limited English,...

OUR HISTORY 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. 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

OUR FINANCIALS Your Support Truly Matters. When you get involved with ASK, you’re making life better for kids with cancer and their families across Virginia. Take a look at our latest Annual Report to meet some of ASK’s families and see the impact of your generosity in action! Read Our Annual Report Where Your Support Goes We know that a big part of earning your trust is being 100% transparent about how your gifts are used to impact our kids and families. Thank you for your generosity and ongoing commitment to supporting them! FY23 REVENUE $4,138,091 FY23 EXPENSES $2,524,885 FY23 PROGRAMS $1,928,212 Reports & Documents FY21 Annual Report FY20 Annual Report 2022 Form 990

VOLUNTEER Your Time Thank you for your interest in supporting ASK with your time and helping hands! We rely on volunteers to help make our fundraising events and program socials run smoothly, to support our organization with donation drives and fundraising, to raise awareness, and to help engage our community in a variety of ways. ​ Interested in volunteering with ASK? Fill out our sign-up form below and we'll reach out to you with upcoming opportunities to get involved! Get Started What are your volunteer opportunities? Volunteer needs vary throughout the year and include helping at our fundraising events like the ASK 5K & Fun Walk, wrapping gifts for the holidays or handing out school supplies. Sign up here to volunteer and we'll email you with all our upcoming volunteer opportunities! How old do I have to be to volunteer? We ask that volunteers are 16 years or older to volunteer at an ASK event. Younger volunteers are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Why should I volunteer? By volunteering your time, energy and expertise with ASK, you are helping to make life better for children with cancer or a serious blood disorder and their families right here in our community. Volunteers lending a helping hand make all of our ASK Events possible. Program events such as the Holiday Party, Fall Festival, and our Kourageous Kids party are great for volunteers who wish to have direct interaction with our ASK families and kids. Fundraising events like the Donut Run, ASK Walk, and the Annual Gala are fun events that require all hands on deck to make the event successful and enjoyable for all. Sign up to be a part of our incredible volunteer crew and you will receive the quarterly newsletter with upcoming volunteer opportunities! Can I get school community service hours for volunteering? Absolutely! Following your volunteer shift, just check in with the ASK staff member in attendance to sign off on your hours. You can also contact one of our two volunteer program leads: Jess Harris, Program Events Coordinator, at jharris@askccf.org or Ivana Micheletti, Special Events Coordinator, at imicheletti@askccf.org. How can I volunteer with kids in the hospital or the ASK Hemoatology/Oncology Clinic? The ASK Hematology/Oncology Clinic is located in the Children’s Pavilion at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR). To volunteer at the clinic or any other inpatient or outpatient areas of the hospital, you must apply through CHoR. More information to volunteer through CHoR can be found at https://www.chrichmond.org/about-us/volunteer. What about volunteering with a group? We welcome groups to join us as volunteers at our two annual 5K events – The ASK Donut Run 5K in November and the ASK 5K & Fun Walk in the spring. Depending on the size of the group, there are some other volunteer opportunities throughout the year at our large program socials and events. What are other ways to get involved with ASK? Along with volunteering, you can make a difference with ASK in many ways, including participating in our fundraising events, starting a community fundraiser or donation drive, or advocating and raising awareness in the community! Visit our Get Involved page for more information. "I have loved being a part of ASK because you can see the immediate impact of your time, energy and donations and the change we are making for children locally." ​ - Meghan Dickey Hale, ASK Ambassador Committee Chair Get More Involved There are lots of ways you can help make life better for children with cancer and their families. Learn how else you can get involved with ASK below! Learn More

AT ASK CAREERS 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 for full-time staff 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 parties and regular get-togethers Open Positions No Openings Right Now Thank you for your interest in working with ASK. We currently do not have any open positions, but will update this page in the future when we do. In the meantime, we invite you to learn more about ASK and other ways you can get involved! Get Involved About ASK

WAYS TO GIVE When you give to ASK, it provides educational support, family and financial support and program events that offer community and connection. This amazing support means our families have the resources they need to make it through the most challenging days – but there’s more we can do, which is why we need you! ​ Here's how you can help: Ways to Donate Make A Gift Today Donate to provide an ASK family with emotional, financial and educational support as they navigate the twists and turns of their childhood cancer journey. Make a Donation Donate Snacks & Drinks Snacks and drinks offer comfort to patients, parents and siblings who often spend long hours at clinic during appointments or at our program events. Shop Snacks Donate Toys & Treasures Treasure box toys, games and crafts provide a much-needed distraction and pick-me-up after difficult and stressful procedures during treatment. Shop Toys Donate Gift Cards From gasoline to groceries, gift cards help our families stay on top of their mounting everyday expenses. Get in touch with us to see what’s needed most. Contact Us Other Ways to Give United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg Our United Way Agency Number: 3175 Employer Donation Matching See if your employer wi ll match your donation! Click here to get started. The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign Our CVC Number: 03281 YOU make a difference Thank you for taking a stand to lessen the burden of cancer for our kids and families throughout Virginia with your time, treasure and talents. How Your Support Helps

SIGNATURE 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. 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. Find more information on how to sponsor and join us on March 16, 2024 for this magical evening. About ASK Gala 19th Annual ASK 5K & Fun Walk presented by Anthem Join us for Virginia’s most inspiring, cancer-fighting, community event! The ASK Fun Walk is so much #MoreThanAWalk, as it brings together our ASK families, supporters and community members for a fun day of camaraderie, connection and kindness; all while raising funds to benefit ASK’s programs and support services. We hope to see you on May 18th, 2024 at The Diamond for this special day! About ASK Walk 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 Megan Angstadt, Associate Director of Development, at mangstadt@askccf.org to get started. Contact Us

Financial Assistance Everyday Relief & Resources In Clinic Support Mental & Emotional Wellbeing Bereavement Support FAMILY 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 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. 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, and Fredericksburg area families treated at Children’s National. Qualified families may apply for help paying non-medical (housing, utilities, transportation) bills. 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 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 gift cards for everyday needs checking in regularly to offer a kind word or listening ear linking you to needed supports providing a pick-me-up surprise when your child or their siblings feel down 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. In Clinic Support 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! ASK Clinic Tour Mental & Emotional Wellbeing Mental & Emotional Wellbeing Jennifer Rohan, Ph.D Director, Psychosocial Clinical Care and Research Get In Touch 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 to support mental health services for patients, siblings and parents. Meet Dr. Rohan Dr. Rohan and her team are an important part of the CHOR pediatric hematology oncology care team and work closely with your child’s medical doctors. These mental health services are available to your family free of charge. ​ 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 to include 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 is happening. ASK is proud to fund this chaplain position at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Bereavement Support 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. “Katie knows just when to step in and offer assistance. She does an incredible job of calming stressful situations.”