|
|
In 2019, ASK dedicated nine months to developing a strategic plan that would provide a road map for our future growth and our commitment to making life easier for families impacted by childhood cancer. Soon after we finished the plan, the pandemic hit and everything changed. As we navigate this new normal, we are keeping our North Star Goals in sight while we respond to the immediate needs of our community.
Together, we can bring the power of assistance, support and kindness to as many children, teens and their families as possible.
Together, we can bring the power of assistance, support and kindness to as many children, teens and their families as possible.
PROGRAM Overview
ASK has been committed to providing psychological support since it was first founded in 1975 by parents who organized volunteer support groups. Additional psychological support was added by hiring the chaplain for the ASK Clinic in 1978 and later the child life specialist in the mid-1980s. In 2006, ASK began funding the first dedicated child psychologist for our patients and survivors. Psychological support isn’t limited to our diagnosed children. We understand the impact a cancer diagnosis has on the whole family and include resources for parents, siblings and other family members as appropriate to provide meaningful ways to address concerns and stress. COVID-19 Support
Childhood cancer is a traumatic experience. Late effects from treatment are felt for years. Studies have shown that patients and survivors have higher rates of anxiety and depression. With the added stress of a global pandemic, supporting the mental health needs of our ASK kids is more important than ever. At the start of the pandemic, our psychology team immediately pivoted to telehealth with great success. We were able to amplify our support through virtual visits. Patients responded well to the new format, and appointments for services have returned to pre-COVID numbers. As the pandemic continues, we will increase our emphasis on mental health throughout our programs and will pilot a resiliency-based curriculum this fall. north star goals
|
PROGRAM Overview
ASK has been providing financial assistance to families with a child in treatment for over 25 years. It began as a small fund to help with groceries and was distributed by the chaplain. This year the fund will give over $90,000 to 40+ families. Cancer-related financial toxicity is the latest term to describe a problem that has been affecting our families for years. Cancer is one of the most expensive medical conditions to treat in the United States and while insurance can help, families are left managing bills, paying expensive deductibles and co-pays, and navigating a challenging medical billing environment. In addition, parents must often take time off from work (or may lose their job) while caring for their child in treatment. As a result, half of all families with a child in treatment report severe financial hardship as a result of their child’s treatment. COVID-19 Support
When COVID hit, we redirected all available funding to financial assistance which enabled us to respond to 104 requests totaling $52,168. All together, we have provided $86,133 throughout our 2019-2020 program year to help families pay the bills and stay afloat. north star goals
|
PROGRAM Overview
The Education Support Program is designed to help students at all ages succeed in doing their best in learning-related activities. Key in the delivery of these programs is providing advocacy for the students and their families to gain proper and appropriate support, while educating teachers and educators in the unique challenges of learning for a child who has received treatment for cancer. ASK’s Educational Support Program addresses needs for pre-school up to young adult as students transition to college, technical schools or the workforce. COVID-19 Support
When COVID-19 hit our community and children moved to hastily-designed virtual classroom settings, we quickly pivoted our educational focus. We ramped up our online tutoring program to provide 52 patients and survivors with extra help twice a week to ensure they kept up with their peers and schoolwork. Now we’re helping parents navigate how to best support their children academically this fall as the pandemic continues. north star goals
|
PROGRAM Overview
Over the last three years, ASK has worked with key stakeholders in pediatric cancer from across the state. In 2017, we took a lead role in writing the first pediatric cancer section of Virginia’s state cancer plan. We then helped form the Virginia Childhood Cancer Work Group and are now working in partnership with the five pediatric cancer treatment centers in our state to move the plan forward. Through that work, we have led the group’s advocacy efforts, mobilizing advocates from around the state for the past three years. scaling for impact
Our work on the state cancer plan and advocacy days led us to wonder how we might have a greater impact on raising the level of care for all children with cancer in Virginia. We began working with the Virginia Department of Health on supporting the educational needs of patients and survivors throughout the state. Together we created an educational toolkit for every patient and survivor heading back to school in the state. It will serve as a bridge between the child's medical team, parents and school. We also held six educator conferences aimed at helping school personnel understand the challenges that our kids face when returning to the classroom and how to best support them. north star goals
|
Stay in Touch
Sign up for a monthly delivery of inspiration and the inside scoop on events.