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THEMAGIC OF YOURIn 2023-2024, you made the impossible possible for children with cancer.Inside, you’ll see how your support impacts ASK families every single day. It inspires pivotal moments of hope, glimmers of joy, and the warmth of community for our families when they need it most: the most powerful magic there is.KINDNESS
Sweet and petite four-year-old Zhuri was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. Her AWE-INSPIRING family shares, “we can’t imagine going through this journey without the people, programs, and services of ASK.”
DEAR FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS,I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks for your incredible support for ASK this year. Your generosity is making a real dierence in the lives of children with cancer and their families every day.This year, we expanded our financial assistance program to meet the everyday needs of families all across Virginia. This means more parents and caregivers can focus on their child’s recovery and worry less about the mounting pile of bills. We are also excited to share a new strategic plan for ASK’s bright future. This comprehensive road map outlines our vision for a future where every child with cancer in Virginia and their family has access to the support they need to navigate this challenging journey. We want to make sure that no family faces childhood cancer alone.We know this is all possible only because of your support. Thanks again for everything you do for our kids and families.Gratefully yours,Amy GodkinExecutive Director
FAMILY SPOTLIGHTDid you know? 6-7 children are diagnosed with cancer each week in Virginia.Childhood cancer can be an OVERWHELMING journey.Your support ensures our kids and families don’t have to face it alone.Savanna, ASK Mom to AdaJenny, ASK Mom to Gavin “The first time we were in Clinic was one of the hardest and scariest days of our lives. It was 4 days before Christmas 2022, and in walks Miss Katie, ASK’s Child Life Specialist, with Bat Girl and Christmas presents for Ada. Receiving this gesture within minutes of us being placed in our infusion room made all the dierence in our world, and gently eased Ada into her first day of chemotherapy.The snacks, popsicles and treasure box full of toys that ASK provides are always there to lift her spirits and keep her busy during long chemotherapy days.”“ASK has always known what we needed before we needed it. We didn’t know how we were going to make ends meet and they jumped in and said, ‘We’ll pay your mortgage. We’ll pay your bills.’Rich Catlett, ASK’s Chaplain, was a constant for Gavin, who he connected to and felt at ease with. He came in with a smile and could judge if Gavin was up for some sports talk that day or not. He talked about Virginia Tech sports while Gav couldn’t attend the games he usually goes to.Rich was always a listening ear for my husband and me. He gave us encouragement and support in the hardest moments. We will always be grateful for Rich supporting our family.”
There are no magic words that will erase the fear, stress and anxiety of cancer treatment. But, through your generosity, our support team can be there to help patients and their families through their toughest moments. Here’s how your support adds up:4813,8145,26012Open sesame! This year, we made some major updates to the ASK Hematology/Oncology Clinic waiting room in the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, installing custom vibrant murals inspired by the James River ecosystem and similar welcoming graphics families can find along the walls at the ASK oce.children in active treatment for cancer and serious blood disorders supportedtreasure box toys gifted to patients and siblings to offer a distraction or pick-me-upsnacks provided to families to help them power through long days at clinicclinic parties and meal drop-offs so kids in treatment experience fun and not fear
DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES, YOUR KINDNESS HELPS FAMILIES FIGHTING CHILDHOOD CANCER FIND STEADY GROUND.FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE“ASK has been incredibly helpful with gift cards for groceries and gas. We travel a good distance to get to Clinic. We also have only one car, so it needs to remain dependable. It’s so comforting to know that someone will have our backs throughout this process, in big and small ways.”- ASK parent*Adopt-A-Family gifts and non-medical bill pay 195 grocery trips coveredfor parents and caregivers working tirelessly to keep food on the table7,262 gallons of gas coveredto ensure families can confidently travel to and from hospitals for treatment329 families supported statewide to help ease stress so they can focus on caring for their sick child9%Transportation$27,457 18%Utilities$57,607 28%Gas & Grocery Cards$92,887 4%Funeral Assistance$13,805 4%Other Needs*$13,490 37%Housing$122,612 Total: $327,858
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORTSUPPORT FROM HOSPITAL TO HOMEROOM, AND BEYONDTutoring Access: ASK tutors and partners provided 93 students with 2,752 hours of educational support from in-person and online tutoringCollege and Life Readiness: Programs like SAT prep opened to 29 college-bound patients, survivors and siblings in high schools across the stateStatewide Support: ASK Navigators showed up for school-aged patients across VA through 205 school meetings and 33 classroom in-service sessionsGrowing Scholarships: 42 graduating seniors across Virginia were celebrated through $42,000 in scholarships to support next steps in life, like future education or trade school617 students across Virginia from preschool through 12th grade received dedicated educational support through ASK! Here’s how your kindness made the grade:“Jose was having a lot of diculty in school. We were able to get him enrolled in tutoring… in the last three months, Jose’s algebra grade shot up from a D to an A minus!”- Grant, ASK Education Support NavigatorDid you know? Two-thirds of all childhood cancer survivors develop late eects from treatment that make it harder to learn, grow and thrive.
COMMUNITY & CONNECTIONThanks to you, we provided 2,980 ASK kids and families with 108 opportunities for community and connection.Most families experience severe isolation in the wake of a childhood cancer diagnosis. That’s why we oer social events to help fill that void and help families feel less alone. Time together matters, especially when it’s with others who are on the same journey.IT’S ALWAYS AWITH THIS CREW!Charlottesville Family PicnicFULLHOUSE“We loved seeing faces of dear friends who have been through the cancer journey themselves.”
Richmond Summer CampNorthern VA Latino Family Bingo“We LOVED this event! Our kids had a blast. It really was a special event for our family.”We make it a priority to bring people together. That’s why we host events for EVERYONE in our ASK community: • All Families• Latino Families• Patients• Survivors• Siblings• Parents
ASK ABOVE & BEYOND GALAWhat a magical night! On March 16th, more than 1,100 supporters came together for a Night of Wonder at the 2024 ASK Gala ready to put their magic tricks to the test to ensure every child with cancer in Virginia has the support they need.The record-breaking night set the bar for one of the most fun, memorable and generous nights in ASK’s history. A special thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, table captains and big-hearted donors.ASK ABOVE & BEYOND GALAHi, I’m ASK Kid Gavin! I shared my journey fighting childhood cancer at this year’s Gala. Scan to see how ASK supporters like you helped me and my family.
ASK 5K & FUN WALKMoving for a mission makes a dierence! More than 1,200 walkers and runners participated in the 19th Annual ASK 5K & Fun Walk across the state, whether in the rain at The Diamond, Spartan Field, or around the neighborhood. We loved every moment of the day, especially when “Don’t Stop Believin” started playing and we got to cheer on our Kourageous Kids during their Victory Lap. Thank you to our Walk Committee, volunteers, sponsors, and community for making it a day to remember!“One of the things that was really meaningful was when the kids got to walk the bases at the end. It was really special to have that moment.”19TH ANNUAL ASK 5K & FUN WALK
DARE TO BE AMAZED...FY24 REVENUE: $4,426,099FY24 EXPENSES: $3,818,203FY24 PROGRAMS: $2,936,172FINANCIAL DATAAT YOUR GENEROSITY!13%Fundraising $496,815 10%Management$385,21777%Programs$2,936,17110%Community Fundraisers$437,1178%Corporate$341,68818%Grants$796,093 56%Events (Net) $2,514,7588%Individual$336,44332%Educational Support$956,38557%Family Support & Direct Assistance$1,664,34911%Community & Connection$315,438Did you know? 77 cents for every dollar donated goes to directly support ASK families.
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISERS16 remarkable ASK Ambassadors joined forces to raise funds and awareness for families in our community aected by childhood cancer. This year was their best year yet, raising more than $67,000 through 550 individual donations. Amazing work everyone!Throughout the month of March, 28 Jersey Mikes Subs locations adopted ASK as the beneficiary for its “Month of Giving” Campaign. All together, these stores raised an astounding $180,000 to support children with cancer and their families. Thank you everyone at Jersey Mikes who helped make this possible!LET’S HEAR IT FOR OUR COMMUNITY FUNDRAISERS!It takes a village of supporters & partners to help children with cancer, and we’re so thankful for ours.ASK family members were supported through funds raised from community fundraisers, ranging from neighborhood get-togethers, cornhole tournaments, restaurant givebacks, and so many more!1,151M4K Richmond, Inc. is a volunteer-run organization founded in 2003 with the goal of raising money for local children’s charities while having fun growing mustaches. This past year, hundreds of growers raised funds to support children-focused non-profits. We are honored to have been a recipient of their eorts for nearly 15 years.
LOOKINGAHEADWe have a vision of a Virginia where EVERY child with cancer and their family has the support that they need to get through treatment. Over the next three years, we are taking a bold stance to institutionalize what took us 50 years to establish in Richmond and replicate it to be self-sustainable in each region across Virginia. This includes our three areas of focus, along with the stang and funds needed to support them.Each of these strategic priorities supports our three areas of focus (Family Support, Educational Support, Community & Connection) to help make a positive impact on ASK families, here in Richmond and across the state. Here are the cornerstones of our plan, and how we hope to grow in making life better for children with cancer and their families in the coming year through your support.
See how your generosity is Making Life Better for Children with Cancer at askccf.org.LOOKING AHEADExpand Our ProgrammingEnsuring that young patients, survivors and their families in all regions of Virginia have access to the support that they need to get through treatment and navigate life after cancer. This includes support in all three of ASK’s core focus areas: family support, educational support, and community & connection.Deepen Our RelationshipsFostering a strong and resilient community means creating opportunities to build relationships – yes, for our families, but also with treatment centers, local and statewide partners, and within our own team. By working together as a united front, we know we can get closer to our common goal of serving kids and families aected by childhood cancer. Amplify Our VoiceFamilies in need can only utilize ASK’s resources when they know about them. We plan to empower all new and existing families with information on how ASK can support them wherever they are in their cancer journey. ASK will also serve as a leading voice for children with cancer at the Virginia General Assembly through our advocacy eorts.Strengthen Our InfrastructureWe know that meaningful, sustainable growth for ASK requires a solid foundation. This means building up our systems and processes to make better data-driven decisions, defining emerging avenues for donors to get involved, and supporting our passionate team through this transformational growth.
5211 West Broad Street, Suite 100 Richmond, VA 23230 askccf.orgTeam LeadershipAmy Godkin, Executive DirectorRachael Schrinel, Director of PhilanthropyTina Carter, Director of ProgramsBarbara Snuggs, Director of Finance & AdministrationFY24 Board of DirectorsRobert Westermann, PresidentMeg Garner, Vice PresidentGina Honeycutt, Secretary and ParliamentarianDarry Newbill, TreasurerLeslie ArmstrongScott ArmstrongJim BaberMarc CheathamTim CosgroveJennifer Culhane Leslie GrilesKim KenoJosh KugelmanSteve McCoyKesha OatesJohn PfistererDale SmithJohn WatersMelissa WhiteIsaac WrightIncoming FY25 DirectorsMakisa GeorgeTim ParentConnis Tennessee