VCU news

By Michael Ford
University News Services

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Commonwealth University Health System has opened a new pediatric hematology/oncology clinic with a $390,000 gift from a local volunteer organization, establishing the only outpatient center in central Virginia dedicated to treating children with cancer and blood-related diseases. 

ASK, the Association for the Support of Children with Cancer, donated the funds to design, construct and furnish the new clinic on the second floor of Nelson Clinic at 401 N. 11th St. The pediatric oncology program previously was located in the VCUHS Dalton Oncology Clinic in North Hospital, 1300 E. Marshall St., which also accommodates adult cancer patients.

“This beautiful new outpatient facility was designed to provide a friendly, comfortable and well-equipped place to provide care for this special group of children,” said Dr. E. Clifton Russell, chair, pediatric hematology/oncology division at the VCUHS Children’s Medical Center. “We are deeply indebted to ASK and to all whose work and dedication made this dream a reality.”     

Each month nearly 400 children receive treatment for cancer and serious blood-related illnesses at the VCUHS Children’s Medical Center. The multi-disciplinary pediatric hematology-oncology team treats patients from greater metropolitan Richmond and Petersburg, as well as a large geographic area that extends from Fredericksburg south to Emporia, and South Hill east to Tappahannock and Williamsburg and Suffolk. 

Pediatric cancers kill more children between the ages of 3 and 14 than any other disease. Each year, approximately 12,000 children nationally are newly diagnosed with cancer in the United States.  Other serious blood-related diseases include sickle cell anemia and hemophilia. 

“We are honored to continue our partnership with the VCU Health System and fortunate to have this first-rate health care facility in our community to treat our children battling this dreadful disease,” said David DuVal, president of ASK. “I thank the people who have given their time and money for this worthy cause.”

Based in Richmond, ASK is a private, non-profit, all volunteer organization providing social, emotional, spiritual and financial support for children with cancer and their families. ASK supports clinical and laboratory research at the VCU Health System aimed at finding causes and cures of childhood cancer. Beyond the $390,000 donation to renovate the clinic, ASK annually provides more than $180,000 to fund five positions in the pediatric hematology/oncology division – two nurse practitioners, child life therapist, art therapist and chaplain-counselor – to benefit pediatric cancer patients and their families.

Construction on the new clinic began in August, transforming the 3,000-square-foot space into a unit to accommodate children with cancer and their families. There are eight colorful private examination rooms, a new, large waiting room filled with books and toys to engage young minds. The large treatment room has bold blue walls and hand painted aquatic scenes.

A formal dedication ceremony is planned for early 2003.