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  • Blog | ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation

    ASK BLOG Stories of Making Life Better for Children with Cancer and their Families All Posts ASK Kids Family Support Educational Support Community & Connection Advocacy Volunteers Donors & Supporters ASK Team Search Meet ASK Kid Orin Baby Orin was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma at just 13 months old. He braved extensive chemotherapy to try and shrink the tumor doctors... Meet ASK Kid Izabella “She has never complained,” shares Eden, reflecting on her daughter Izabella’s cancer journey. “She has never not done what they asked... Meet ASK Kid Nikola Nikola’s family stays positive, even on the toughest days of treatment. “To anyone out there, we want you to know that we are stronger... Meet ASK Kid Caelan ASK mom Jeongeun is no stranger to cancer. She’s a cancer survivor herself, so when her three-year-old son, Caelan, stopped running and... Meet ASK Kid Adrienne Right away, you wouldn’t know that Adrienne struggles with chronic pain and has spent countless nights in the hospital fighting complication Meet ASK Kid Gavin "I had equal amounts of fear and anxiety watching him... praying to God that this was not his last race," shares ASK mom Jenny, thinking...

  • Search | ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation

    Site Search All (98) Pages (43) Blog Posts (55) 98 items found for "" Pages (43) Video Library | ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation 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. ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Join us this September as we honor childhood cancer patients and survivors! Let's glow > We're here to make life a little better. Your generosity means kids like Orin don't have to face cancer or serious blood disorders alone. Give Today Orin, 1 better. How we help our families: Community & Connection Fighting cancer can be an isolating experience. We helped our kids and families build meaningful connections throughout 2023 with more than 100 program events. Educational Support On average, kids miss 43 days of school during their first year of treatment. In 2023, we helped more than 500 patients return to school with the support they need to be successful. Financial Assistance Half of all families with a child in treatment will experience severe financial hardship. In 2023, we helped families stay afloat with more than $250,000 to cover everyday expenses. Get Support Through your generosity, we've been able to provide Assistance, Support, and Kindness to thousands of people in Virginia who have been impacted by childhood cancer: people like parents Russ and Jenny, and their 11-year-old son, Gavin, who was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. ​ Meet this amazing family as they share their story and see how your support provided the care and community they needed to make it through the impossible. See More Impact 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. How to Get Involved > What's new? Meet ASK Kid Orin 2 days ago Meet ASK Kid Izabella Aug 16 Meet ASK Kid Nikola Jun 26 See More Posts Stay Connected with ASK Sign up for updates on all things ASK! You'll hear from us regularly with opportunities for you to give , volunteer , or advocate for children with cancer. You'll also receive monthly stories to meet the inspiring children and families your generosity is helping to support. Sign Up for Updates Follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTube Linkedin Flickr TikTok Twitter Conferences | ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation CONFERENCES Educating Childhood Cancer Patients & Survivors Conference February 23, 2024 | Live Broadcast 9:00am - 4:15pm EST About the Conference Our annual Educator Conference helps schools know how to make life better for students affected by childhood cancer. Administrators, teachers, nurses and counselors are invited to attend and earn free CEU & CNE credits. 2/3 More than two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors experience late effects from treatment. These can include physical, emotional, cognitive, and/or social effects which can impact learning. We give concrete examples from a panel of experts across disciplines so that educators feel better equipped to support cancer survivors and their siblings as they navigate school both during and after cancer treatment. 1 Conference Info Flyer Share this info flyer with your colleagues who may be interested in attending this year's conference with you. The more, the merrier! Download Presentation Topics Overview of Childhood Cancer Learn how frequently childhood cancer occurs and how it differs from adult cancers. Learn the most common types of childhood cancer, treatment protocols, survival rates, and what survivorship looks like. Session Length: 45 Minutes ​ Late Effects of Treatment While survival rates have increased significantly for almost all types of childhood cancer, treatments often cause long-term side effects known as ‘late effects’ of treatment. These late effects can be cognitive, physical, or social-emotional, and all affect a survivor’s academic experience. Learn how educational plans like 504 and IEP can help support these students’ unique needs: Physical Late Effects (30 minutes) Cognitive Late Effects (30 minutes) Social Emotional Late Effects (30 minutes) Educational Plans (30 minutes) Session Length: 2 hours ​ ​ Early Childhood Intervention & The Importance of Play Childhood cancer treatment of young children often disrupts opportunities for socialization and play for both the patient and siblings. The effects of this are seen in the early elementary classroom experience. Learn how to support these early learners, and the important role of play for these children inside and outside of the classroom. Session Length: 45 Mi nutes​ Young Adult Success Panel A diverse panel of childhood cancer survivors who are now young adults will share their experiences transitioning back to school after treatment, challenges they faced, and what helped them the most. Session Length: 45 Mi nutes​ ​ Active Treatment Case Studies A strong school-based team plays a critical role in helping childhood cancer patients and survivors succeed socially and academically in the school setting. We will walk through a real-life case study and address the role of school nurse, social worker, counselor, and administrator. This is an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned throughout the day and share your ideas. Session Length: 45 Mi nutes​ Speaker Panel Speaker Panel Violet Borowicz, MD Pediatric Hematologist/ Oncology Specialist , Carilion Children's Read More > Amanda Thompson, PhD Chief, Pediatric Psychology & Director of Pediatric Programs, INOVA Schar Cancer Institute Read More > Mandy Tribe Educational Consultant, Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters Read More > Evelyn Joran-Thiel Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, UVA Health Children's Hospital Read More > Joe Bauer Child Life Specialist, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Read More > "Excellent, well-organized, useful information I will implement at my school. Thank you!" - Conference Attendee In partnership with View All Blog Posts (55) Meet ASK Kid Orin 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!’” Meet ASK Kid Izabella “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.” Meet ASK Kid Adrienne Adrienne’s positive energy and smile light up every room she enters. Right away, you wouldn’t know that Adrienne lives with chronic pain and has spent countless nights in the hospital fighting complications from Sickle Cell Anemia, an inherited group of blood disorders that causes the red blood cells to form in a sickle shape. Diagnosed at birth, Adrienne doesn’t know any other way of life and is very comfortable navigating pain meds, hospitalizations, and ER visits – but her mom just wants her to be a typical teenager. “Adrienne is very active in church and loves to sing and dance,” laughs her mom, Gisele. “Her cousins and siblings are her best friends, and she loves to go to school when she can and hang out with her friends at church. But ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation is our backbone, and the staff and other ASK families are our extended family. They feed us emotionally, spiritually and physically in the good times and the bad. I truly don’t know what we would do without them!” Gisele describes the time that Adrienne spent more than 15 days on a ventilator as “the most devastating time in [her] life,” but ASK’s financial support allowed her to stay in the hospital with her daughter, providing meals and paying some bills so that Gisele could focus on Adrienne. When Adrienne is feeling well, she loves to participate in ASK’s many family events and programs , like camps, Flying Squirrels games, trips to the zoo, and ASK’s annual Holiday Party. “ASK is always here for our family and provides anything we need, even furniture. If they don’t have it, they can find it!" - Gisele, Adrienne's mom "From the time Adrienne was two and participated in the ASK preschool program and all through her journey, ASK has provided for us, cared for us, and educated us on Sickle Cell,” Gisele continues. “This has empowered me to be an advocate in my community to raise awareness about the disease.” “ASK changes lives for families who are going through horrific ordeals, whether it’s Sickle Cell Anemia or childhood cancer. They let the child be a child, despite their circumstances. Sickle Cell affects every major organ in the body and is not for the weak. Thankfully, ASK is our partner and will never leave us. We are family for life!” View All

  • Press Releases | ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation

    Press Releases August 28, 2024 ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Launches GlowGold Campaign to Light Up Virginia for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – Richmond 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 – Northern Virginia 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 – Charlottesville Read More March 19, 2024 ASK Above & Beyond Gala Raises Unprecedented Support for Children Battling Cancer in Virginia 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 February 28, 2024 ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Announces 19th Annual ASK 5K and Fun Walk Sponsored by Anthem Read More November 6, 2023 Cancer Warrior Ivie's Enchanted Journey: ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Partners with Unicorn World for a Day of Magic and Joy Read More Go Back

  • Press Releases | ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation

    Press Releases March 19, 2024 ASK Above & Beyond Gala Raises Unprecedented Support for Children Battling Cancer in Virginia 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 February 28, 2024 ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Announces 19th Annual ASK 5K and Fun Walk Sponsored by Anthem Read More November 6, 2023 Cancer Warrior Ivie's Enchanted Journey: ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation Partners with Unicorn World for a Day of Magic and Joy Read More Go Back

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    A Klimb for Kennedy Close

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    Katie Barber is one of the first people you will meet. Known as “Miss Katie” to our kids, she is here to ease your child’s anxiety as they receive treatment in the ASK Clinic. Katie uses medical play to teach kids about what they are going through, like accessing their port. Katie talks with kids to help them understand what the doctors and nurses are doing to make it less scary. ​ She also gets kids to focus on activities like crafts, games, and playing with toys. What looks like play is really a clever way to help kids feel less stress at clinic! She may encourage your child to do an art project or engage in pretend play to help them express their feelings. Other times she is teaching kids how to find their voice and speak up for what makes them comfortable. Close

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