Gov. Northam to speak at hospital graduation ceremony for cancer survivors and patients battling blood disorders

By Shira Pollard
Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU

Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University and the ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation will host a celebration this week honoring graduating high school students who have received care at CHoR’s ASK Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam will deliver the keynote address to graduates and their families.

WHEN:             Friday, June 1, 12:30 p.m.

WHERE:            VCU Medical Center Campus
Hermes A. Kontos Medical Sciences Building auditorium
1217 E. Marshall St.                 

WHO:               Hematology and oncology patients and families
Gov. Ralph Northam
Hematology and oncology clinic team members
School representatives
The event is open to invited families, school representatives and the media.

The annual event celebrates patients who have achieved academic success while persevering through treatments for cancer and blood disorders such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, transfusions and bone marrow transplants.

This year’s graduating class is the largest ever with 31 graduates representing 12 public school divisions and two private schools. The graduates will be recognized by Alma Morgan, CHoR educational consultant, and local school division representatives.

All graduates will receive scholarships provided by ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation and families who have developed scholarships in honor of loved ones who lost their battle with cancer or blood disorders.