Nonprofit builds backyard playset for 3-year-old Virginia Beach girl battling cancer

Roc Solid Foundation and Groundworks team up to provide a safe place for Wednesday Koch to play during her treatment

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:07pm

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A 3-year-old Virginia Beach girl named Wednesday Koch, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer in 2025, received a special gift from the nonprofit Roc Solid Foundation and construction company Groundworks - a brand new backyard playset. The organizations partnered to build the playset, giving Wednesday a safe place to play during her cancer treatment when she is unable to go to public playgrounds due to her compromised immune system.

Why it matters

The gift of the playset provides Wednesday with a sense of normalcy and joy during a difficult time, as cancer often takes away a child's ability to freely play. Roc Solid Foundation's mission is to bring hope to children and families fighting pediatric cancer, and this project is one way they are supporting the Koch family and raising awareness of the challenges faced by children with cancer.

The details

Volunteers from Roc Solid Foundation and Groundworks arrived at the Koch family's home to build the backyard playset for Wednesday. Trevor Koch, Wednesday's father, said he was overwhelmed by the love and support shown by the strangers who came to help his daughter. Wednesday has been unable to go to public playgrounds, school, and even see many family members since her cancer diagnosis due to her weakened immune system. The playset gives her a safe space to play and regain a sense of normalcy during her treatment.

  • Wednesday Koch was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer on August 16, 2025.
  • The backyard playset was built for the Koch family in March 2026.

The players

Wednesday Koch

A 3-year-old girl from Virginia Beach who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer in 2025.

Trevor Koch

Wednesday's father, who expressed gratitude for the support his family has received from Roc Solid Foundation and Groundworks.

Roc Solid Foundation

A nonprofit organization that provides hope for children and families fighting pediatric cancer, including building backyard playsets for children who cannot access public playgrounds due to their compromised immune systems.

Groundworks

A construction company that partnered with Roc Solid Foundation to build the backyard playset for the Koch family.

Hannah Plott

The senior playset coordinator for Roc Solid Foundation, who explained the importance of providing children with cancer a safe place to play.

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What they’re saying

“I'd never expected the love that you feel from a foundation like Roc Solid and Groundworks to come and do this just out of the grace of their hearts to make a child feel good. To me, that means more than anything.”

— Trevor Koch, Wednesday's father

“The first thing taken away from a kiddo diagnosed with cancer is their ability to play. A lot of times these kiddos are immunocompromised, so they can't go to public playgrounds, they can't go to school and play outside. So that's where Rock Solid comes in.”

— Hannah Plott, Senior playset coordinator, Roc Solid Foundation

What’s next

Wednesday Koch is currently cancer-free, but has additional radiation and chemotherapy ahead. Her father hopes she will be fully cleared by mid-2027.

The takeaway

This story highlights the important work of organizations like Roc Solid Foundation in providing joy and normalcy to children battling cancer, who often lose their ability to freely play due to weakened immune systems. The backyard playset built for Wednesday Koch is a tangible example of how community support can make a meaningful difference in the lives of families facing pediatric cancer.