Kids cancer group is my passion. What’s yours?
By Lisa Schaffner
As I sat getting a haircut this week, I struck up a conversation with my stylist, Rebekah, about Giving Back. “Do you volunteer? For your church or a community group?” Rebekah quickly listed several things she does for her church, and then added, “I also run the Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I am a survivor, and it means a lot to me.”
That’s the key to Giving Back: Find a cause that ignites your passion. That moves you. For me, that passionate cause hit my radar 13 years ago. ASK, the Association for the Support of Children with Cancer (
www.ASKweb.org), asked me to host the group’s annual September Rainbow Gala — and ASK has had my heart ever since!
ASK: the Association for the Support of Children with Cancer
ASK provides support and resources to area children and their families who are fighting cancer and serious blood disorders. As kids receive treatment at
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center’s Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, they can paint, draw and watch videos, thanks to ASK, which maintains the clinic. There are also trips to
Kings Dominion and the
Richmond Metro Zoo.
ASK’s executive director, Anne Cuomo, tells me: “We’re recruiting volunteers right now to help us with events and for the ASK Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic. We’re dependent on the generosity of individuals, businesses, schools and churches so that we can make life better for children with cancer.”
Katie Barber organizes ASK volunteers; you can reach her at 804-828-2304. If you don’t have time to volunteer, you can drop off new toys, video games, DVDs, DVD players and gift certificates.
September is a big month for ASK on several fronts.
National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
It’s National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Also, ASK’s largest annual fundraiser — celebrating its 20th anniversary — the Rainbow Gala takes place Sept. 26 at the
Country Club of Virginia. I’ll be there, with bells on, as I like to say, and we've posted lots of gala pictures
HERE.
Kourageous Kids
Also in September, ASK’s annual Kourageous Kids portrait display, which features 25 children currently fighting cancer, will be on exhibit. Between Sept. 1 and Sept. 11, you can catch the display at the James Center Atrium. Through the end of the month, the display will be at the
Children’s Museum of Richmond. Check it out — these courageous kids are my heroes.
Saxon Shoes Giving Back
Speaking of passion in Giving Back, I recently had the pleasure of meeting with
Saxon Shoes president Gary Weiner. Weiner and his company believe in our community and in making a difference, and that’s why you’ll see them supporting our Giving Back column.
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Boomer Life Volunteer Connection
And we’re still looking for your help as well. Visit our
Boomer Life Volunteer Connection non-profit matching program, and add your non-profit’s event to the Giving Back calendar. Also add your group’s volunteer needs to our growing Volunteer Connection list. When a Boomer Life reader searches our Giving Back database of volunteer opportunities, your non-profit organization could be the perfect fit. But to make a match, your group must be registered, so pass the word.
Virginia Waterways Cleanup Day
If your passion is keeping Virginia clean— and the great outdoors — mark Sept. 19 on your calendar. It’s the
Virginia Waterways Cleanup Day sponsored by Clean Virginia Waterways. Volunteers across the commonwealth will pick up trash and record data about debris found along streams, rivers, lakes and bays.
Here’s how it works: You pick a waterway near you that needs cleaning up. Katie Register, executive director of Clean Virginia Waterways, explains: “While we mostly work with groups of citizens, schools, parks and businesses, CVW is happy to work with any individual or family that wants to help clean their local stream, river or beach.
You can find out more about volunteering at www.longwood.edu/cleanva/ or call 1-800-262-BEACH.”
While the official cleanup day is Sept. 19, your cleanup can be anytime in September or October. Last year, 5,710 volunteers picked up litter and debris from 365 miles of shoreline throughout Virginia. A total of 254,046 pounds of trash was hauled away.
What are you waiting for? Ignite your passion!
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