Meg Garner’s journey with the ASK (Assistance, Support and Kindness) Childhood Cancer Foundation began nearly three decades ago during a college internship at the Medical College of Virginia —now Virginia Commonwealth University. This experience led to her first job as a child life specialist there and sparked her commitment to supporting children and their families through the challenges of pediatric cancer. 

ASK’s assistance and support are lifelines for children with cancer and their families. The nonprofit organization, a beacon of hope for families in Central Virginia for almost 50 years, has made a significant difference in the lives of these families. Garner has been a donor, volunteer, and consultant and will soon serve as the board chair for the organization.

“I learned a lot working with ASK early on in my career. I knew I wanted to be on the people side of things,” Garner said.

Although pediatric cancer is rare compared to adult cancer rates, it is the leading cause of disease-related death among children after infancy, according to the Children’s Cancer Cause, a national advocacy organization for children with cancer and their families. The organization says there are about one in 260 children in the U.S. who will develop cancer before age 20. In Central Virginia, the Children’s Cancer Cause estimates there are 40 to 50 new pediatric cancer cases per year.

Garner’s professional journey, including roles at the American Cancer Society and her current position as chief operating officer at VPM Media Corporation, has been both diverse and rewarding. She believes these experiences have uniquely prepared her to lead the ASK board in advancing its mission.

Garner, who has been married for 30 years, met her husband in college and never dated anyone else. She credits their lasting happiness to a mix of humor, patience and a shared commitment to never give up. The couple still honors an unconventional tradition they started when they wed—renewing their verbal “marriage contract” each year.

“We jokingly said we’d take it one year at a time,” Garner said. “It’s kept us present and accountable throughout the years, so we check in once a year to see what’s working or not working.”

Meet the decades-long proponent for pediatric cancer patients and their families and this week’s Personality, Meg Garner:

Occupation: Chief operating officer at VPM Media Corporation.

Place of birth: Norfolk.

Where I live now: Henrico.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Randolph Macon College; MBA, Strayer University; executive leadership coaching, Georgetown University.

Family: Husband, Chris Garner; son, Benjamin; daughter, Everett Elizabeth.

What ASK is: An organization with boots on the ground to provide family support, educational support and community and connection for kids diagnosed with cancer and their families.

ASK’s mission: Making life better for children with cancer and their families.

Location: While ASK serves children and their families all across Virginia, our headquarters are in Richmond, where we started with the Children’s Hospital of Richmond.

A brief history: ASK was incorporated in 1975 as the Association for the Study of Childhood Cancer. A group of parents whose kids were in treatment for cancer got to know each other’s stories while sitting together in the hospital waiting room. Recognizing the need for support, they wanted to continue to support kids and families with cancer diagnoses. They joined with members of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology team at MCV Hospital, now the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, to found ASK. It would remain an all-volunteer organization for the next 30 years.

We opened the ASK Clinic in 2003, followed by the opening of the Moving Forward & First STEP Preschool in 2007. We’ve added many programs over the years to support and advocate for patients, survivors and siblings.

Why the name: ASK stands for assistance, support and kindness to represent everything we try to do for our kids and families.

When and why I got involved: I did an internship in child life at MCV Hospitals during my senior year at Randolph-Macon College. When I graduated, I was hired as a child life specialist working with ASK families from 1993 to 1998. I learned so much about the pediatric cancer journey and what the kids and families go through. A child life specialist helps children and their families cope with the emotional and developmental challenges associated with hospitalization and medical procedures, using play, education, and support to normalize the experience. It was amazing to be a small part of their journey.

Experience with the ASK board: I joined the board during the pandemic. I have been vice president for the last two years, leading the work of our Governance and Nominations Committee. I’ll begin my term as board president on July 1.

Why I accepted board positions: It’s my way of giving back, especially to an organization that’s been near and dear to my heart for such a long time.

ASK directly impacts the lives of kids and families with cancer every day. They make a challenging journey easier through their deep support.

No. 1 goal as incoming chair: Continuing to help the organization amplify its work statewide. Strategy for achieving the goal: Continue to develop relationships, create awareness and cultivate support for ASK in the other five key geographic areas where there are pediatric cancer centers.

Our biggest challenge: Continuing to build ASK awareness, support and programs across the state.

Financial support: ASK relies on the generous support of our local community to power our programs.

Our partners: We partner with all five pediatric oncology facilities in Virginia to ensure we are providing support to all pediatric cancer patients. Here in the Richmond region, we have community partnerships with the YMCA, First Baptist Preschool and the Home Building Association of Richmond.

How many children are served by ASK: Between six and seven children are diagnosed each week in Virginia. We have over 500 families on active treatment because ASK serves the whole family, including parent and sibling support, from diagnosis and into survivorship.

How I’ve seen ASK make a difference: I’ve seen how ASK’s financial assistance helps families by easing the burden a cancer diagnosis can inflict on an otherwise financially secure family. We provide gas cards, grocery gift cards or utility assistance that allow families to stay in their homes. I’ve seen the care and concern ASK extends to families to help them cope, whether through information.

ASK services for children and their families: There are too many services to list here. You can learn more by visiting, askccf.org.

How to access ASK’s services: We work closely with the medical teams at the hospitals to connect with newly diagnosed patients and families. You can also connect with ASK and our services through our website, askccf.org.

Volunteer opportunities with ASK: The ASK 5K and Fun Walk is May 3 and it’s a great way to get involved. You can help raise vital funds for our programs and meet some of our amazing ASK families. More information can be found at the ASK website.

How I start my day: I’m wired to be positive so each day is a new day to start fresh and do better than the day before.

Three words that best describe me: Empathetic, truthful and resilient.

Dream dinner party guest: I’d love to share a good bottle of wine with Maya Angelou to listen to her stories about her creative writing and activism!

Top three on my music playlist: Foo Fighters, Carbon Leaf and Motley Cruë.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I LOVE live music, of all kinds of genres, and go to concerts whenever I can. I’ve been known to plan trips around a specific date and concert venue.

Most inspirational quote: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Inspirational person: Definitely my mom! She raised two children by herself while going to grad school and working a full-time job. She spent her entire career in elementary education, first as a teacher and then as a principal. She showed us every day that hard work and perseverance pay off. I admire how she stared adversity down and carved out a life for herself despite the obstacles.

Influential book: “ReCulturing: Design Your Company Culture to Connect with Strategy and Purpose for Lasting Success” by Melissa Daimler. It reminded me of the tactical elements of culture and how to create a strategy that sustains a process of revisiting and retooling it over time as needed.

Next goal: Retirement!