Since 1975, ASK has been making life better for children with cancer and their
families. While the hospital and medical staff focus on treatment, ASK works to
provide the quality-of-life support needed to make going through treatment less
traumatic. ASK supports the ASK Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic at
Children/s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
History of Organization - The ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation (ASK) was founded
in 1975 by a small group of parents of pediatric cancer patients at Children’s Hospital of
Richmond (CHoR) at VCU. They joined together to provide mutual support, to search
for answers together and to deal with the devastating diagnoses.
Today - Today, the group’s mission is to make lives better for children with cancer
from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. Our mission is accomplished by
providing social, emotional, financial and spiritual support for children with cancer and
their families. ASK steps in at the time of diagnosis to help the family deal with the
non-clinical side of what’s happening. While the hospital and medical staff focus on the
treatment, ASK works to provide the children and their families with the quality-of-life
support they need to make going through it all less traumatic. Our vision is to serve as
the central source of support for children with cancer and provide comfort and
compassion in an exemplary manner.
ASK enhances the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Department at CHoR by funding
several positions including a child psychologist, chaplain, and child life therapist. ASK
also tries to provide opportunities for cancer patients and their families to forget about
their disease and enjoy life. The organization sponsors trips to local attractions and
sporting events. Annual high school graduation ceremonies, monthly birthday parties
and weekly celebrations for successful treatments are ongoing. ASK also provides
funding directly to families in crisis to help defray mounting financial obligations above
and beyond medical expenses.
Our Funding – ASK receives funding from a variety of sources including local
corporations, foundations and individuals. ASK’s budget for the fiscal year 2014 is
$569,194. To receive a copy of our most recent annual report or IRS 990, please contact
the ASK offices at (804) 658-5910.
2013-2014 Board of Directors & Staff
Guiding Principles:
Put children and families first
Be mission driven
Be responsible stewards of resources
Be ethical
Be an open and collaborative community partner
Be proactive as well as responsive
Be creative and innovative
Show compassion at all times
Board of Directors:
Leslie Armstrong
Scott Armstrong, President
Jim Baber
Shaaron Brown
Nancy Chase
Jim Eck
Zach Grabill
Jodie Kitchens
Josh Kugelman
Craig LeFeber
Victoria Levi
Darry Newbill
Aaron Redman
Jill Shimp
Kenny Melvin
Ex-Officio Board Members:
Amy Godkin, Executive Director, ASK
Lexi Aman, Development Director, ASK
Katie Barber, Child Life Therapist, ASK
Matthew Bitsko, ASK Child Psychologist
Robyn Dillon, Social Worker, VCU Health Systems
Dr. Kami Godder, Director of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, VCU
Dr. Asadullah Kahn, Pediatric Neuro-Oncologist,VCU Health Systems
Dr. Gita Massey, Pediatric Oncologist, VCU Health Systems
Alma Morgan, Educational Consultant, VCU Health Systems
Tom David Siebert, ASK Chaplain
Positions We Fund
The Chaplain ministers to children with cancer and their families from the time they
are first informed of the diagnosis. This person provides not only counseling, but also
spiritual guidance, sympathetic companionship, crisis intervention and, if needed,
bereavement counseling.
The Psychologist is a doctorial-trained, state-licensed professional who serves
children and their caretakers on a consultative basis. Services include but are not
limited to: psychological assessment and diagnosis, individual and family
psychotherapy, pain and symptom management, consultation with other members of
the psychosocial team to develop a support plan for those struggling to cope with the
issues surrounding childhood cancer and serious blood disorders.
The Child Life Therapist is a member of each child’s health care team, working to
reduce the fear and anxiety that often accompany treatment and helping patients and
their families cope with the stress of illness. During long hours spent in the clinic, the
child life therapist provides supportive intervention, as well as educational and
therapeutic play. Children are encouraged to express themselves through play, using
toys to demonstrate their feelings about medical treatments and procedures.
How We Help
Child Life Program & Events
ASK’s Child Life Program is run by a full-time Child Life Therapist who works in the ASK
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic. The program’s child life therapist and volunteers
serve as the children’s advocates, helping them maintain contact with their friends back home
and celebrating milestones of their childhood.
During long hours spent in the clinic, the child life therapist provides supportive intervention,
as well as educational and therapeutic play. Children are encouraged to express themselves
through play, using toys to demonstrate their feelings about medical treatments and
procedures.
ASK’s Child Life Program strives to provide as many normal life experiences as possible
during treatment and offer opportunities for cancer patients and their families to forget about
their disease and enjoy life. The organization organizes events such as:




Family Laser Tag
Easter at the Zoo
Kourageous Kids Party
Holiday Party
Monthly birthday parties, annual high school graduation ceremonies, and weekly celebrations
for successful treatments are ongoing. ASK also partners with other organizations, schools,
churches and individuals for additional social support and activities.
Family-to-Family Program/ On-going Support Groups
The Family-to-Family Program helps families connect within the hospital setting and
providing them with support. Upon diagnoses, a family is assigned a parent whose child has
already undergone treatment for the same or similar type of cancer.
ASK sponsors monthly family discussion groups for both oncology and sickle cell patients
that meet at the Penny Tree Family Resource Center. ASK also sponsors bereavement
support groups in partnership with Full Circle Grief Center. Educational workshops
specifically designed for teens, long term survivors, siblings, and families of newly diagnosed
children are planned throughout the year.
Pastoral Care & Family Crisis Fund
The Chaplain provides counseling, spiritual guidance, sympathetic companionship, and crisis
intervention to children with cancer and their families. Recognizing the heavy financial toll
that a diagnosis of cancer can have on a family ASK offers a Family Crisis Fund. This
account is designed to help families in crisis pay for items such as rental and/or mortgage
payments, utility bills, overnight hotel stays, parking and meal tickets, groceries and funeral
expenses.
Moving Forward
In coordination with the YMCA, Moving Forward is a fun and dynamic physical fitness
program designed to help survivors improve strength, mobility, coordination, endurance,
balance, and self-esteem. Each participant receives personal training and a family membership
for one year.
Tutoring and Testing
ASK has partnered with Alma Morgan, Educational Consultant, to provide tutoring,
neuropysch testing and evaluations, educational workshops, college and vocational advising,
and scholarships in an effort to help children with cancer succeed in the academic setting
during and after their treatments.
First STEP - Socialization Through Enriched Play
The ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation (ASK) has realized the need for additional
supportive services for young children whose preschool or kindergarten experience has been
postponed or interrupted during medical treatment. First STEP offers an individualized early
childhood educational program for ASK Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic patients and
families. First STEP is especially designed to meet the unique educational, social and
emotional needs of young children with chronic illnesses as they go through the process of
healing. This program is provided though the partnership with First Baptist Weekday School.
Young Adult Survivors Group
Young Adult Survivors Group connects 20-30 year old childhood cancer survivors for
educational and social support. The group directs its attention to the needs of teens and young
adults after their cancer treatments are complete. They tackle medical, social, psychological,
employment and insurance issues that may affect them as they mature.
Kourageous Kids
Each September, ASK recognizes Childhood Cancer Month with a portrait display honoring
the courageous spirit of children with cancer. Various venues in the Richmond area host the
display giving more visibility to ASK and our mission as well as promote awareness of
childhood cancer.
Scholarships
ASK offers college scholarships to qualified survivors of childhood cancer. Monies are also
made available to nursing staff to further their education and knowledge of childhood cancer
treatment and practices.
Clinic & Bone Marrow Transplant Unit Renovation Projects
In 2002, ASK renovated a space in the Children’s Hospital of Richmond’s Nelson Building to
create the ASK Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic. This child-friendly space was
designed to create a warm and home-like atmosphere. This space received the Top Ten Most
Innovative Facilities Award in 2003 from the Center for Innovative Healthcare Facilities.
In 2004, ASK worked with the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit to create a pediatric-friendly
atmosphere in five existing rooms. The space includes two in-patient rooms, an exam room,
an infusion room and a family lounge, all designed in a kid-friendly and home-like
atmosphere similar to the ASK Clinic. ASK is currently working with the Children’s
Hospital of Richmond on the design of the new pediatric hematology/oncology clinic at the
Children’s Pavilion.