VCU Medical Center to Hold Annual Graduation for Pediatric Cancer Patients

By Anne Buckley

The Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center will host a graduation celebration honoring the patients and students who are graduating from high school and have been followed by the Hematology and Oncology Clinic. 

The ceremony will be held Tuesday, June 9, from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Medical Sciences Building, 1217 E. Marshall St.

Co-hosted by the Hospital Education Program, VCU’s Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic and the Association for the Support of Children with Cancer, or ASK, the ceremony will recognize 13 seniors who have managed their academic responsibilities while undergoing treatment for cancer or sickle cell disease.

Of the 13 graduates, seven are oncology patients, four are sickle cell patients and two are hemophilia patients.

This year’s keynote speaker is Gov. Timothy Kaine. Alma Morgan, educational consultant and Kamar Godder, M.D., director of the pediatric hematology and oncology program, will recognize the graduating seniors. Local school division representatives also will be present and scholarships provided by ASK will be awarded.

For more information, call Alma Morgan at 828-4679 or Dee Lightfoot at 828-0426.