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Meet ASK Kid Isiah! Like any other 14-year-old boy, he loves playing Fortnite, Roblox, and flying planes online. However, at the age of 11, things were very different. "A social butterfly and a very happy kid," is how his mom, Yesim, describes him. "I knew something was wrong when he began complaining of headaches and generally being very emotional. Even his teachers were noticing a difference in his personality." Yesim's motherly intuition told her it could be cancer. After several visits to pediatricians, where he was diagnosed with a virus, Isiah began vomiting. This led them to the emergency room, where a doctor delivered the most terrifying words Yesim had ever heard: "Your child has cancer." Isiah was referred to VCU for more tests over a four-day period. It was a difficult diagnosis, but no one was giving up. Eventually, Isiah was diagnosed with Large B-cell Lymphoma, a type of leukemia. Isiah’s diagnosis was extremely scary and difficult for his family to process. His mom, Yesim, thought it was "the end" for her family. "I quickly realized that if I was scared, then my child would be scared, so I decided to be brave," remembers Yesim. "At first, I compared my child to other children in treatment, but I learned that every child is different. Then I realized that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I should not lose hope." For Yesim and her family, ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation provided that hope. “Katie Barber, the ASK Child Life Specialist, was the first person we met in clinic, and she was a beautiful example of how positivity and kindness can change a very scary day into a day that we could handle.”  Since that first introduction to ASK, Isiah and his family have participated in many ASK activities, with the holiday party being their favorite.  In addition, ASK’s Education Support Navigator, Jon Longenecker, has been an integral part of Isiah’s continuing education through his treatment. “We had a lot of issues with the homebound program through our school system, and Jon made sure that Isiah got the help he needed.  He continues to be involved now that Isiah is transitioning back to school, ensuring that Isiah has all the resources he requires to be a good student.  He’s truly one of the kindest humans I’ve met in my lifetime,” continues Yesim. “It amazes me every day how ASK knows what we need and then provides a solution to our needs, no matter what it is. For example, they discovered our vacuum broke and ASK bought us a new one without me asking.  As a single mom with all my family in Germany, this type of support is vital to my family’s success.”  - Yesim ASK Kid Isiah's Mom Paying the family’s rent and providing food and gas gift cards for their many trips to VCU are just a few of the financial gifts Isiah and his family received from ASK. After 2 ½ years of chemotherapy, including 14 months of very harsh treatments, Isiah graduated to the maintenance phase and is slowly getting stronger each day. “Our life is returning to normal, I think,” laughs Yesim. “Isiah is doing well and happy again.  He’s doing better in school and is focusing on his health. We are so grateful for every day! To this day, Isiah “never complains about what has happened to him and we continue to have fun days,” says Yesim. “Cancer can’t stop us from going to the pool and the beach or visiting with friends.  Part of the nightmare of cancer is seeing all of those sick kids in Clinic and hearing about relapses. Nobody can tell us the future, but ASK walks this journey with us every day and mitigates our fear. ASK is hope in the midst of childhood cancer!”

Up until the day of his  B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL)  diagnosis, Declan was your typical preschooler,  hungry for activities. He was in swim lessons, ninja classes, and ran around the playground like it was his job.  He would do anything to keep his body moving. That is, until the day he couldn’t: he was suddenly too tired to run around at recess, and that’s when Declan’s mom, Elizabeth, sensed something was really wrong with her son.    ASK Mom Elizabeth remembers the early signs of her son's diagnosis, but didn’t think too much of them at the time. "He had broken his leg in May and then had a tonsillectomy in August, so some of the signs that we were actually noticing, we excused away, because when he was like, 'oh, my legs hurt,' we [thought] maybe he's just, you know, growing and getting adjusted to being out of a cast. And when he was looking tired, we [thought], 'Okay, well, it takes a while to get used to, you know, life and sleep after tonsillectomy. Maybe that's it…' But the one that really set us over the edge [was when Declan] came home from preschool on a Wednesday and said, 'Mama, I was just too tired to run at school. So I just sat and chatted with my teacher instead.' We were like, 'Oh, that's not our child.” Life changed quickly for Declan and his family the moment they received his lab results. Elizabeth recalls the life-changing news, "It wasn't gradual, but it was definitely instantaneous like, 'Okay, that's weird that he's not running around.' Declan was four when he was [officially diagnosed with B-cell ALL]. It was just before Thanksgiving [2023]."  Still, the family reflects on the timing of the diagnosis as a miracle. "He was diagnosed that [Friday] morning by Dr. Edwards. And then, he had his bone marrow biopsy later that day. We had to wait until Sunday for his port to get placed, and then he started chemo on Monday. So, [it was] less than a week between us noticing something [was off] and the chemo actually starting, which is another miracle. A lot of other cancer moms have told me it took them weeks and multiple ER visits to get a diagnosis," explained Elizabeth. The first five or six rounds of chemotherapy were challenging. "It was really intense. Life just sort of stopped. We were carefree and easy one day, and then the next, we had a kid with cancer." Elizabeth said. She had to leave her job to care for him and his two-year-old sister full-time, while Declan's father and older brother continued with work and middle school. But without Elizabeth’s income, finances got tight. ASK was able to help them stay afloat by helping with certain monthly expenses. Without that aide, Elizabeth says they might not have been able to stay in their home. Facing housing insecurity on top of a cancer diagnosis isn’t something anyone should have to deal with. Thanks to ASK, it wasn’t something they needed to worry about. Declan also had to stop attending preschool due to his diagnosis. ASK Education Support Navigator, Amy Fender made sure to get Declan resources and activities to help him overcome any gaps from his missed time in school. Amy is one of six Navigators stationed at each of Virginia's five pediatric cancer treatment centers. These dedicated professionals bridge the gap between hospital inpatient stays and the patients' schools, helping them stay on grade level and receive the necessary accommodations to succeed. They provide training for teachers and parents on the long-term effects that chemo has on the students. This year, Declan was able to start kindergarten in August and is currently in the maintenance phase of his treatment, which includes daily chemotherapy at home and in-clinic chemotherapy every three months.  Shortly after Declan began his current stage of treatment, he and his family had to move to Indiana, leaving their friends, family, and clinic—essentially, their entire support network—behind. Despite being out of state and ten hours away from Carilion Children's Hospital, though, they were able to still use some of that critical support network, even from a distance, through the amazing educational resources Amy Fender provided them. "Declan is finally to a point where he wants to tell his classmates about his diagnosis," Elizabeth explains. "Amy emailed me presentations, snail-mailed flyers, got us a “Monkey from Monkey in My Chair,” and even sent us things we can pass out to his classmates. It's been amazing. We were able to confidently talk to his classmates about his diagnosis and they were so receptive to it." Navigating childhood cancer is not easy for any family. ASK ensures that families have financial, educational, and emotional support from the time of the child's diagnosis through adulthood. "Cancer touches every part of life, and it's hard to go through it; it's hard to survive it as a family. And without someone like ASK filling in the gaps for the things you don't even know that you don't know, it wouldn’t be possible. When you start the cancer journey, you don't know what you're going to need. You don't know where you're going to be struggling, and you're struggling everywhere. Being in a different state with different resources, we truly know the difference between having ASK and not having ASK. It is huge. ASK makes the journey so much easier, which isn’t a small thing when you’re talking about a complete upheaval in your lives like a pediatric cancer diagnosis causes." - Elizabeth ASK Kid Declan's Mom Today, Declan loves jumping on the trampoline, building with his Legos, and playing with his friends at school. Since doing physical therapy, running around and being active is getting easier for him.  "[Declan's] really into imaginative play and pretending; we recently just listened to Phantom of the Opera, and he loves pretending to be Phantom, and his little sister plays the role of Christine. They'll do a whole play for us, which has been really fun. We’re adjusting to life with a cancer diagnosis. It’s becoming our normal, just another thing we do doing our day. It’s crazy that cancer is normal for us. I never thought we’d ever think of this as routine and un-extraordinary. But we do. And ASK was a major part of getting us to this point.”

Ethan is an intelligent, funny, outgoing 15-year-old who loves acting, Korean barbecue, and his corgi named Gatsby. As he was getting ready to begin the next chapter and the giddiness of starting high school, Ethan started to notice a sharp pain in his knee, and his life changed forever.   Despite trying to keep a positive attitude, he felt this was much more serious. "For about 5 months until my diagnosis, I noticed a lot of knee and femur pain when I walked or used stairs…My parents and I dismissed it as growing pains, but it went on for months and got worse with time, and that's when we made an appointment to see the orthopedic doctor's office. They did an X-ray, and we got the news the very next morning at 9 am. None of us will forget that day. It's ingrained in us forever," Ethan recalled that day. Annie, Ethan’s mom, pulled her son out of school and tearfully explained to Ethan what the doctors had found in the X-ray. "We sat on the bench outside of my school, and in between her sobbing, she told me that I had Osteosarcoma…the first thing I asked was, 'Am I going to die?'" Ethan recalled the moment, stating, "The fear was immediate. My first question was, 'Am I going to die?'" He was just a freshman in high school when he received his diagnosis. From there, it was all a blur. Ethan and his mother abruptly left the school and began working with the doctors at Inova Schar Cancer Institute to develop a treatment plan. Ethan received his chemotherapy port as soon as school let out for the summer. The shift was jarring, a complete upheaval of his teenage life. "I had never experienced such a change, ” Ethan recalled, “from being such a happy kid focusing on school to then being on four different chemo infusions, and all the while, 12 liters of water is being pumped inside me a day. I lost all of my hair within the first two weeks of chemo and had to attend classes virtually.  Everything happened so fast. My entire life changed after that phone call." But the fight wasn’t over. After enduring the grueling chemotherapy, Ethan faced another significant challenge: surgery, and the subsequent journey to regain his mobility. "In August of that same year, I got surgery to excise my femur where the cancer was and replace it with a titanium implant that will lengthen as I grow. How cool is that?" Ethan was amazed by how advanced medical procedures had gotten. However, the marvel of modern medicine didn't erase the immense physical effort required for recovery. The titanium implant was a technological wonder, but learning to use it was a different story entirely. But learning to walk was no easy task for a growing teenager. Ethan shared that the process was “one of the hardest things I've ever done, and I had to cope with quite literally everything. It was hard to learn to walk from scratch literally, but with enough physical therapy and support from my orthopedic surgeon, I was able to take my first tall steps. First very slowly with a walker, then steadily with crutches and now, by the grace of God, I can almost run.” Throughout Ethan’s journey, ASK has provided consistent support and a strong community for him and his family. Like many families facing a pediatric cancer diagnosis, they encountered significant financial challenges. Ethan's parents prioritized his medical needs, leading to a substantial financial burden. ASK helped them navigate available resources and alleviated some of that strain. "It really pulled us through the dark clouds and gave us hope. It gave us a real sense of community and gave us hope in humanity in a world where that is sometimes hard to remember. It brought us closer together as a family unit. It made us really remember to be in the moment and that life can be fleeting. With or without cancer." - Annie ASK Kid Ethan's Mom Ethan successfully returned to school mid-sophomore year, resuming his life alongside his peers. While regular check-ups continue, he's overcome the most significant hurdles and is embracing every opportunity with gratitude. He and his family have found comfort in making lifelong friends with the doctors, nurses, and staff on the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology floor at Inova and, of course, ASK. Now off all treatment except physical therapy to further strengthen his leg, Ethan is channeling his energy into his passion for theater. When asked about what he wants people to know about childhood cancer and being a survivor, Ethan closed out with, "I think it's really important that everyone knows that there is a light to the end of the tunnel. Push and keep fighting the battle until it's over; even then, don't stop. Live life to the fullest."

Why do we do advocacy work?  Using our voice for children with cancer in Virginia results in a more powerful impact.   Right now, there are approximately 550 children diagnosed with cancer here in Virginia . That’s enough children to fill eighteen school buses!  Before we stepped up to start organizing advocacy efforts here in Virginia in 2018, children with cancer did not have a voice at the Virginia General Assembly, and that lack of representation showed. At the time, 0% of Virginia’s $20 million in cancer funding went toward children undergoing treatment. Through the efforts of our more than one hundred dedicated advocates across the state, children with cancer are now on the radar of our state legislators. In 2022, we secured state funding for the first time for the ASK Educational Support Navigator Program. Since then, Virginia also approved funding for pediatric cancer research.  Now 11.4% are designated for children. Securing this funding is a significant step in showing Virginia’s commitment to supporting children with cancer, and that only happened because advocates shared their stories and demonstrated the need. We work collaboratively on our advocacy efforts with the Cancer Action Coalition of Virginia and all five primary pediatric oncology and hematology treatment centers: Carilion Children’s, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Inova Schar Cancer Institute, and UVA Children’s Hospital. Our advocacy efforts support all children in cancer treatment and help raise the level of care across the Commonwealth. That is why receiving and maintaining this funding is so crucial. We know that when children are supported, they succeed, and all children deserve the opportunity to succeed. The Education Support Navigator Program is making a difference every day. In the program’s first year, 502 pediatric cancer patients and survivors received back-to-school support. Additionally, 105 educators across Virginia learned about childhood cancer and how to support children returning to school. Our program has already received national attention. It was featured at the Hospital Educators and Academic Liaison national conference and was a featured program during the Center for Disease Control’s recent visit to Virginia. We hope to serve as a model program for other states to have an even more significant impact. Alma Morgan, Associate Director of Education speaking at the Childhood Cancer Advocacy Day Breakfast. Alma Morgan, ASK’s Associate Director of Education, expressed her enthusiasm for the program at this year's Childhood Cancer Advocacy Day Breakfast, saying, “We wouldn't have our six navigators across the state without you, and the impact has just been not good, it's been tremendous. Exceptional! I can't use enough terms to describe it. We have six navigators now, and when we started three years ago, we had five. One in each treatment center. As we were training them, we used the special sauce of ASK, which is about relationships with patients and families. You have to gain their trust, and you have to constantly be there at their clinic appointments… So thank you for your support. Thank you! We did, in Northern Virginia this past year, hire a new navigator. A bilingual navigator because we need them to work more with our Spanish-speaking families. So we are growing for the needs out there!” Since 2023, the launch of our Educational Support Navigator Program, it’s been critical that we  continue our advocacy efforts to help ensure support for our ASK children and families. This year, our advocacy efforts are two-fold. First, we shared the impact of our education support navigator program with legislators at Virginia’s Childhood Cancer Advocacy Day on January 23 to ensure continued funding. Second, we want to continue to improve the lives of families in treatment, by placing our advocacy support behind efforts regarding paid family medical leave. Roughly 1 in 4 families diagnosed with pediatric cancer report losing more than 40% of their annual household income as a result of treatment-related work disruption, which doesn’t even take into account out-of-pocket expenses like traveling to and from the hospital or extra childcare at home. The numbers behind the smiles: Cancer-related financial toxicity remains a pressing issue for our families across the state, and paid family medical leave would help alleviate some of that and give our parents more time to care for their children during treatment. Additionally, we understand that financial hardship persists for families at least a year after therapy ends, and that is why as an organization, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting children with cancer and those in survivorship by providing young adult support and all around comprehensive support to our families from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond. As Alma Morgan, ASK's Associate Director of Education, explains, “We do a lot of work with young adults in regards to vocational opportunities. In our survivorship clinic here at the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, we follow children for life. I am there every Monday and some of my patients are close to 50 years old. We have such a comprehensive team, and we do such good work.” It’s because of advocates like yourself and the amazing support from the communities we serve, that ASK is able to lend a helping hand when our families need it the most. Together, we will continue to advocate to make life better for children with cancer and their families across the Commonwealth and help ensure they never have to face this fight alone!

Mykahi, a vibrant teenager with a contagious smile, always seemed to radiate joy, making it hard to believe he was battling a hidden pain. Despite his joyful exterior, the pain in his legs intensified, defying painkillers and raising his mother, Ahisha's, concerns. “We saw pediatricians, orthopedic doctors, and nutritional specialists, but the pain in his legs just increased. It took three months of testing to get a final diagnosis, but my momma heart knew something terrible was happening to my baby.” Mykahi's diagnosis brought immense challenges, but the support of the ASK team provided a helping hand when Mykahi and his family needed it the most. ASK offered a range of assistance, including financial support to help alleviate the financial burdens many families face after diagnosis and throughout treatment. "We appreciate the gift cards for gas and food more than I could ever say," continues Ahisha. "Knowing that some of the financial burden is taken away has been a huge relief and allows me to concentrate on Mykahi’s needs." Beyond financial support, the ASK team also prioritized Mykahi's education. Jon Longenecker, an ASK Education Support Navigator, played a vital role in ensuring Mykahi's education remained on track. "Thanks to John," Ahisha shares, "he’s looking forward to returning to school soon and has a plan to ensure a successful reentry." Mykahi also found solace in connecting with other children battling cancer. "Kids learn from other kids," Ahisha emphasizes. "These events have been crucial for his social life. Mykahi suffers from depression and was hospitalized a few times during diagnosis and treatment. These types of activities help him realize that other kids are going through the same thing, and they find comfort in being together." Events like the summer pool party, the ASK 5K & Fun Walk, and the holiday party provided valuable opportunities for social interaction and support. To document his journey, Ahisha created a scrapbook filled with encouraging quotes."I’m not having a bad day, just a bald day," and "I can promise that I will fight with you," provided motivation, especially on the hard days. "We all win the race," Ahisha believes, "we just don’t win it in the same way. You don’t have to give up and you can just keep fighting." Guided by the Serenity Prayer – 'God and Heavenly Father, Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; courage to change that which can be changed, and wisdom to know...' – Mykahi and his family faced four months of chemotherapy. Finally, Mykahi entered remission and the day arrived when he finally rang the bell, signifying the end of treatment. The joy was shared by his mother and the entire ASK Clinic team. "I want parents of a newly diagnosed child to know that the staff of ASK is always by your side and you should accept all of the help that they offer. This is an indescribable ordeal. As a mother of a child with cancer, we are so appreciative of donors who want to help our children. Thank you!" - Ahisha ASK Kid Mykahi's Mom

Kalvin's life has been a series of challenges, but his spirit remains unbroken. With a quick wit and a vivid imagination, Kalvin lights up every room he enters. When he's feeling well, he loves to dedicate his free time to practicing his drawing techniques and sharing a 7-Eleven Slurpee with his mom. His determination to overcome hardship and his passion for creativity inspires all who know him.  While admirable, Kalvin's resilience and positive attitude made it difficult to recognize the subtle signs of his declining health. It wasn't until his mom, Brittany, noticed something was amiss. "He was walking to and from school, and it's about a mile exactly from where we live…I noticed that he would come home and be breathing rapidly like he couldn't catch his breath. It started during the wildfires, so I thought, 'he walks [to school], has a gym for his last class, and then walks home. The smoke from the wildfires is getting into his lungs.' I'm thinking that's what is happening." ASK mom Brittany recalls the early days of Kalvin's symptoms. On December 1st, three days after Kalvin turned 16, Brittany took him for quick visit to the emergency room, just to double and triple check on Kalvin's breathing. This initial “quick visit” took a turn for the worst after running a few blood tests. Immediately, Kalvin and his mom were transferred from the emergency room in Fishersville to UVA Children's Hospital for further evaluation. Brittany recalls that exact moment when she asked the doctor at Fisherville's ER, "Are you telling me my kid has cancer?' like, let's just cut to the case, and he said, 'It's looking that way.' So we were transferred from the hospital here in Fishersville to UVA [Children's Hospital]...that was 8:30 am when I took him to [the ER in Fishersville], and then by 11 pm that night, we were officially admitted at UVA Children's Hospital." Not only did Brittany leave the emergency room with potentially a new diagnosis for her son that would devastatingly rock any family to its core, but they were also being transferred to a hospital within the UVA Medical System that already holds heartbreaking significance to their family. "I should also point out that this is the 6th anniversary of the passing of his father and my husband this past October. He died at UVA, and I hadn't set foot in UVA up until that day." The memories of his father passing away at the same hospital made this new reality even more difficult for Kalvin and his mom. "Neither one of us really wanted to go back there…I had tears rolling down my eyes…Anything that could have gone wrong has gone wrong…this is the only connection I have left to my husband… he's my baby, and I mean we lost his father, we lost our home, we lost his cat, we had just started to get back on our feet" Brittany shares tearfully.  The Hematology/Oncology Team at UVA Children's Hospital was immediately able to diagnose Kalvin with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. "It is a three-year process, and this will be the first year…we basically lived at UVA for a whole month…Now, my son has never had any surgery, never had blood taken, nothing. He has had a lot of firsts thrown at him. The last time he was in a hospital was when he was born."  Throughout the past year of Kalvin's treatment, Brittany, a single mom, has been able to focus on his care and well-being without worrying about financial burdens. "ASK has really been absolutely wonderful with the financial support, and that has been such a stressful area for me. My main concern was how I was going to keep up with the new bills and things he needs to help him get through this, and thanks to ASK, I haven't been late on one bill, which makes me feel great and helps in the long run." - Brittany ASK Kid Kalvin's Mom ASK provides support to active treatment families like Kalvin’s to help pay non-medical bills with the understanding that a childhood cancer diagnosis can be devastating for families, financially as well as emotionally. Kalvin and his family will continue to receive financial assistance and access to community resources throughout his treatment to make their experience less stressful and so that Brittany can pay full attention to Kalvin’s health.  With one year of treatment under their belt and time to process their new reality, Brittany and Kalvin can now look back on the early days of their diagnosis and share this advice with other families facing similar journeys:" Try not to let your imagination or thoughts [run wild]. Because cancer is the scariest word on the planet, and nobody thinks they are going to go through it…be patient, and it's okay to get mad or speak up...That is your baby, and you know them better than anyone."

“I know a Kourageous Kid,” says Patra, mom of eight-year-old ASK Kid Brendan. “He’s teaching me the true meaning of love,” she continues.  “He never gives up and his strength is inspirational. He never complains but is not afraid to tell us of his pain and symptoms. He asks questions and stays informed on treatment. He respects and admires his doctors and nurses. He is creative and kind. He has an amazing spirit. He is always up for a challenge and is fighting the challenge of his young life. My son has cancer, and every day, I wish cancer didn’t know my child’s name, but I know he will win this fight.” Last year, Brendan was diagnosed with Leukemia. After several trips to the pediatrician for a cough and ear infection, a simple blood test revealed low hemoglobin. He was sent to the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU where a pediatric oncologist awaited him and so did ASK’s in-clinic support team. He began chemotherapy and went into remission just three weeks after starting treatment. Eight-year-old Brendan, a bright young reader and math enthusiast, was determined to stay engaged in his studies despite undergoing treatment. With the dedicated support of ASK Education Support Navigator, Jon Longenecker, Brendan made a smooth transition back to the classroom this year. He's now thriving academically and has achieved AB honor roll!  ASK’s educational team will continue to support him throughout his school career, including career counseling as he transitions into young adulthood. "I didn't think I was deserving of financial help, so I was beyond grateful when ASK offered to pay our electric bill and had our car serviced at Midas of Richmond so that we had air conditioning in our car this summer. These people are so kind and continually provide emotional and financial support when we need it most. They have changed our lives with their generosity.” - Patra ASK Kid Brendan's Mom As Brendan continues to heal, he looks forward to participating in the many ASK programs and events. Patra recognizes the invaluable support offered by connecting with other families navigating the challenges of childhood cancer. "I love the ASK-sponsored opportunities to support and be supported by people who truly understand what we're facing on a day-to-day basis. Without ASK, we wouldn't have this vital network." Brendan still has a long road ahead of him but is now in the maintenance phase of treatment, taking daily oral chemotherapy, a regular routine of antibiotics and a lumbar puncture infusion one time per month. Patra's hope for the future is echoed by many parents facing similar challenges. "One day my son will ring the bell. I'll be by his side to cheer him, and so will the people of ASK. We're all in this fight together!"

It wasn't until Glis was eight years old that her family began to notice a change in her health. Unusual bruises started appearing on her body, and disappearing after a few days. Soon after, she experienced persistent vomiting and a complete loss of appetite. However, as her condition deteriorated and her skin turned pale, a deeper concern emerged. "I remember looking at her feet, which had turned white, and feeling a growing fear that something was seriously wrong," Alma recalled, her voice filled with worry. After conducting several tests, the doctors delivered the devastating news: "Your daughter has cancer."' Alma recalls at that moment, her world crumbled, and she fell into a state of disbelief at the words she was hearing from the doctors. "I held onto hope, thinking, 'No, this can't be possible.' I rushed to the internet to research leukemia, my heart filled with fear. I kept asking, 'Is she going to die? What will happen to her? Please, someone tell me.' I was lost!" The news shattered the family's world, plunging them into fear and uncertainty. ASK Mom, Alma, recalls the day her daughter Glis began to lose her hair during her Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment, stating: "I will never forget the moment my daughter touched her hair and realized it was falling out. As she lost her hair in front of me and my other two daughters, they quickly grabbed a Ziploc bag to collect and save their sister's hair. I was devastated as a mom, crying harder than I ever had in my life. Witnessing my daughter's sad face during that terrifying moment for our family was heart-wrenching. Glis, my eight-year-old little girl, taught me a valuable lesson when she said, 'Mommy, it's okay; my hair will come back.' That moment reminded me to stay strong and be there for her." "I am grateful to organizations like ASK, which have been by our side during these difficult times. We attended a social event, Bingo, which was a great moment of joy and support. I also appreciate the educational support the navigator provided, and I thank Dr. Newton for your patience and care for my daughter" - Alma, ASK Kid Glis's Mom When people began asking about Glis's diagnosis, many feared the worst, but Alma knew she had to be brave and strong for her daughter. "This was leukemia versus us, and we had the power of God on our side, along with the best medical team, including Dr. Newton, the ASK team, and everyone who supported us during this process." As Glis bravely faced the challenges of treatment, she taught her family a valuable lesson in resilience. Her unwavering spirit, even in the face of adversity, inspired them all. After many days in the hospital and multiple rounds of chemotherapy, the doctors informed the family that the day for Glis's final chemotherapy was approaching. So close to the end of a grueling journey, they found a kidney stone, postponing Glis's final chemotherapy session. In 2023, Glis was able to complete her last round of chemotherapy, and the whole family wept tears of joy when she rang the bell. "I am grateful to organizations like ASK, which have been by our side during these difficult times. We attended a social event, Bingo, which was a great moment of joy and support. I also appreciate the educational support the navigator provided, and I thank Dr. Newton for your patience and care for my daughter" - Alma, ASK Kid Glis's Mom Since completing her treatment, Glis has been back playing with her friends, and her hair has grown back so long that it reaches her waist. She loves it and is incredibly proud of it. She tells her mom this feels like a new beginning.

On the surface, Colin seems like any other kid eagerly awaiting to start middle school. He always has a pep in his step and takes pride in his curly locks, no matter how often Mom Allison asks if she can give them a trim. However, six years ago, Alison recalls the early days of Colin's illness: " He had a lot of bone and abdominal pain at night; it got better during the day, but it was most nights, and he wasn't eating very well, and he was much more tired. Colin had just started kindergarten, so we were just saying that 'Maybe the fatigue was because [he was] starting kindergarten.'" Colin and his family's lives changed forever when a month of fevers, extreme bone pain, numerous trips to the pediatrician, and ER visits resulted in a devastating diagnosis of Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and it instantly turned their world upside down. For the past six years, Colin and his family's life has been a rollercoaster of treatments, setbacks, and moments of hope. His first round of chemotherapy was riddled with complications, often landing him in the hospital and challenging his family's spirit. Participating in the PH-ALL clinical trial at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia offered a glimmer of hope. "Colin was in remission, went off treatment in October 2020, and then he relapsed the first time in June of 2021. He got back in remission, with CAR T at UVA Children's Hospital, went through a bone marrow transplant in October of 2021 at CHOP, and did well with the transplant but then relapsed again March of 2023,"  Alison shared, her voice filled with a mix of hope and heartache. After receiving chemo, Colin was back in remission, and to this day, he is still in and out of the clinic in maintenance receiving treatment. However, his treatment doesn't prevent him from leading a life of fun and excitement like any other 11-year-old boy. Colin and his family have since participated in ASK's first-ever community and connection event in Charlottesville, where families from across the region met for a fun-filled family picnic. They spent the afternoon building community and enjoying time as a family. He has also started middle school with the help of former ASK Education Navigator Lauren, who helped ensure Colin received the necessary resources to support his education throughout his treatment. "[Lauren] was really helpful for his 504 meeting for starting middle school… and really helped [ed] advocate for him. She was the one who helped [Colin] with not having a calculator or having a calculator for all of [his] stuff and for all of the state testing, which not everyone gets. So she was really good to advocate for him for things for school," Alison, ASK Kid Colin's Mom Colin's family also participated in ASK's most recent GlowGold campaign to help raise awareness of pediatric cancer in their community and the need for funding for additional resources for families with a child with cancer. "Cancer affects the whole family, not just the child," Alison explained. "Cancer affects the whole family and siblings too. People need to know how much [families diagnosed with cancer] have to go outside the state of VA to get treatment and that we need more resources within the state."  Allison and her family continue to find ways to get involved in the ASK community, which has made a big difference not only in Colin's life but also in their entire family's during difficult times.

Nine-year-old Ruby is an adventurous, creative, and lively spirit. However, you would never know this spunky nine-year-old girl had been diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, acute myeloid leukemia. During the fall of 2023, Ruby was experiencing several bouts of what doctors thought was the stomach bug or flu. It wasn't until a simple blood test that Ruby and her family received life-altering news. The diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia led to four difficult rounds of chemotherapy in complete isolation. Despite these challenging circumstances, “Ruby's bravery shone through every day in the hospital,” recalls her mother, Jessica. “She actively engaged in her treatment, researching leukemia to understand her condition. Her care team empowered her to ask questions, and ASK Childhood Foundation provided the answers and support she needed.” From the early days of her diagnosis, ASK became an integral part of Ruby's journey. Determined to start fourth grade on time with her friends, ASK Education Navigator Jon Longenecker worked tirelessly to ensure she could continue her studies in the hospital. Jon is one of six Navigators stationed at each of Virginia's five pediatric cancer treatment centers. These dedicated professionals bridge the gap between hospital inpatient stays and patients' schools, helping them stay on grade level and receive the necessary accommodations to succeed. ASK's support extended beyond education. Financial assistance allowed Ruby's parents to focus on her treatment, while special programs like Summer Camp offered her a chance to connect with other kids going through similar experiences. "She created a spreadsheet to make sure she didn't miss a single activity," Jessica laughs. "ASK Night at the Diamond and art classes at the Art Factory are two of her favorites." Today, Ruby is a cancer survivor, and ASK remains committed to supporting her throughout her young adulthood. “It's incredible to see her back to doing what she loves, like archery and tae kwon do, We couldn't have faced this challenge without ASK. They were our safety net, providing strength and support during the most difficult times. While we focused on our child's life, ASK took care of our everyday needs. We are eternally grateful for their unwavering support.” - Jessica, ASK Kid Ruby's Mom A silver lining for this family has been the opportunity to strengthen their bond during these challenging times. “[With Ruby] as an only child in a tight-knit family, it’s been amazing to find that we could get even closer together. Our little family unit of three has been able to thrive and strengthen our bond during these long hospital stays. The support we receive has made it possible to stay at Ruby’s side during the most unimaginable worst time,” says Jessica.

It was November 2022, and ASK mom Ashley was gearing up for her one-year-old son Easton’s second Christmas. The family was excited to be together again, ready for a holiday season filled with joy and celebration. However, Easton started having medical issues, and his mom was worried he may have a fractured knee. She took Easton to several doctors appointments throughout November and December to determine what was wrong. It wasn’t until January 2023 that they finally received an answer. Ashley and her family's entire world immediately turned upside down. Now, the start of winter brings Ashley right back to the day she heard those chilling words: “Your little boy has cancer.” “It was like we were in a tunnel and our ears were ringing with all of the medical terminology and testing,” Ashley remembers. Once they received Easton’s official diagnosis – B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia – he immediately began chemotherapy treatments, spinal taps, and hospital stays. “ASK was with us from the first day of diagnosis when we were inpatient and in the ASK Clinic. Our first Christmas immediately after diagnosis was really hard because we couldn’t be with our extended family and do the typical Christmas activities, but ASK arrived with presents and good cheer for the entire family and saved our holiday,” - Ashley, ASK Kid Easton's Mom While Easton currently faces as many as three years of active treatment, ASK will be at his family’s side to provide them with the resources, services, and community they need to get through it. Now that he is in the maintenance phase of treatment, Easton and his two older siblings can expand their participation into more events like ASK Night at the Diamond, programs like Summer Camp, and sibling-only socials. Being the sibling of a medically complex child can be isolating, and these events help them feel special and build relationships with other siblings who have similar life experiences to theirs. Ashley is looking forward to a time when things return to normal for her family. “My biggest fear is that Easton will be developmentally delayed because of the really strong treatments at such a young age. At one point, he stopped walking and had to relearn how to crawl, walk, and run, but his resilience amazes me,” Ashley continues. “The silver lining in this diagnosis is that he received it at such a young age and he thinks taking medicine daily is normal. He’s a fighter, so we fight with him. He will have photos of when he was bald, but now he has long, curly hair hanging in his eyes. He won’t remember all of the hard days.” This year, the holidays will be filled with extended family once again, as well as lots of fun and togetherness with their ASK community at the upcoming Holiday Party. “ASK celebrates the entire family at Christmas and we are so grateful that they see and hear our older children as well as Easton. We could never say thank you enough!”

“She’s bubbly and talkative all the time,” laughs Shanekqa, mom to ASK Kid Kenya. “When she walks into a room, everyone immediately falls in love with her!” Kenya is a jokester at heart who loves to laugh and make others laugh with her. That’s why Shanekqa knew something was wrong when she watched Kenya slowly withdraw from friends and family, as the pain in her side and back grew stronger. After several months of a steady decline in physical ability, she was taken to the doctor and diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a type of blood cancer that happens  when the bone marrow produces too many abnormal B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.  “My baby was only 10 years old when she was diagnosed with cancer,” Shanekqa remembers. “I was devastated by the news, but ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation was there for both of us. Immediately,   the ASK Clinic and support staff were with us, and I knew I wasn’t going to do this by myself. They made me feel comfortable and relaxed.”  ASK provided food and gas cards, as well as other financial assistance to Kenya’s family. ASK’s Richmond-based Education Support Navigator, Jon Longenecker, worked with Kenya throughout her treatment to help her keep up in school. Jon is one of six Navigators stationed at each of Virginia’s five pediatric cancer treatment centers, bridging the gap between hospital inpatient stays and patients’ schools to help them stay on grade level and receive the accommodations they need to be successful. Kenya continues to benefit from ASK’s tutoring services, social events, and connections to community resources that help relieve some daily stress for her family. "It seems like they know what the families need before we know." - Shaneqka, ASK Kid Kenya's mom “I think we forget about the emotional support these kids need and ASK is here with events to help lift our spirits,” Shaneqka shares with a smile. “Christmas for our entire family was amazing! It seems like they know what the families need before we know, even if it’s providing cleaning services so we can focus on our child.” Kenya loves to draw and wants to be a professional artist someday. For now, in the maintenance phase and taking daily chemotherapy at home, she’s back to enjoying the things she loves: arts and crafts, playing board and card games, cooking and baking, reading, solving riddles – and, of course, making others laugh!