JUST TRYAN IT KIDS TRIATHLON RAISES OVER $125,000 TO HELP FAMILIES FIGHTING CHILDHOOD CANCER

On Sunday, June 16, JUST TRYAN IT presented a check for $125,000 to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital to help ease the financial burden for the families of children who are undergoing rigorous cancer treatments. The check was presented at JUST TRYAN IT’s fourth annual children’s triathlon at the Landon School in Bethesda, Md., where nearly 400 kids came together to swim, bike and run to make a difference in their communities and raise awareness of the many struggles facing families with sick children. 

Since its inception in 2010, JUST TRYAN IT has raised nearly $400,000 to help families in fighting pediatric cancer.

“Fighting cancer is difficult enough, and JUST TRYAN IT is committed to helping families avoid dealing with a financial battle as well,” said JUST TRYAN IT co-founder Mollie Darby.  “This race truly embodies the power of paying it forward, and the kids who participate continue to amaze us with their big hearts and extraordinary fundraising efforts to help other children in need.”
JUST TRYAN IT was founded in 2010 to help other families fighting childhood cancer when Mollie’s then six-year-old son Ryan was diagnosed with leukemia.  Moved by the number of families who were dealing not only with the stress of their child’s cancer diagnosis, but also struggling with the financial strains of treatment, Mollie and a group of her friends sprang into action and founded JUST TRYAN IT to provide financial assistance for everyday bills.
These funds are making a profound and direct impact on the lives of families dealing with childhood cancer -- all proceeds provide much-needed funds for children and families served by Medstar Georgetown University Hospital’s (MGUH) pediatric oncology unit where Ryan received his leukemia treatments. On February 23, 2013 Ryan completed his final treatment, and his courage and resilience continue to inspire many.

When Bernice Graham’s six-month-old daughter Kenyah was diagnosed with a cancerous eye tumor at Medstar Georgetown, she found herself not only worrying about Kenyah’s health, but also struggling to pay her bills after her employer laid her off with no notice. "It was more than just financial support, it was the fact that there was something else out there that truly knew how I felt.  Friends and other groups would always say, 'we understand', and while they certainly meant well, they really didn't.  JUST TRYAN IT, Mollie, and Ryan truly did,” said Bernice. "We were blessed to know that they were there for us."

Some highlights of this event include:
•    More than 400 children ages 6 to 14 from eight states trained for 10 weeks for this event – swimming, biking, running and fundraising thousands of dollars to help other children in need.

•    In 2012, JUST TRYAN IT raised $125,000, and over 50% of that was raised by the young triathletes ages 6-12.  (This year’s event has been expanded to include racers up to age 14.)

•    Generous sponsorships have been provided by area businesses and led by Platinum sponsors Bethesda Orthodontics, Enterprise, and Stohlman Automotive. Gold sponsors include AdvisorShares, Counselors Title, Landon School and Plastic Film Corporation. Silver sponsors include Baker Tilly, Bank of Georgetown, Darnestown Liberty Gas & Service Center, Goldman Sachs, Host Hotels & Resorts, Kindle & Boom Hair Salon and Milestone Exxon.

To find out more, please visit http://justtryanit.org.

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