The Board of Directors of JUST TRYAN IT is pleased to announce the winner of the 2024 Carrie Sloan Norry Founders Award. This award is presented annually to an individual or individuals who demonstrate strength of character, passion, determination, empathy and dedication to those impacted by cancer. These are qualities that Carrie has demonstrated throughout her life and especially as the Founding Executive Director of JUST TRYAN IT. This year the Board is proud to bestow this honor on Kristen Abrams, Tisha Schestopol and Meredith Sharp the women behind the Stronger Together team.

“There is no doubt that in this world, we are stronger together. I am inspired by the uniting force and community building shown by Stronger Together and grateful for their impact on families battling childhood cancer. Congratulations to all of the Stronger Together team members!” – Carrie Sloan Norry

Kristen Abrams founded Team Mighty Max in 2018 in honor of her friend, Tisha Schestopol’s, son Max who was diagnosed with a rare liver cancer when he was 10 months old. Max’s siblings, Kristen’s kids and many friends and neighbors all raced together. Since 2018 Team Mighty Max has recruited 168 racers and raised $49,329. In 2023 Tisha reached out to Max’s River School friends to see if they wanted to create a team. Meredith Sharp and her son, Will, stepped up and created Team River Kids raising $3,232. When Tisha saw kids from Max’s school at the race, she and Meredith decided to join forces.

In 2024 the three mothers rallied their school and neighborhood communities to create a super team — Stronger Together. This team had 36 racers and they raised $21,558! Team members Will and Max are pediatric cancer survivors and their families know firsthand the impact a child’s cancer treatment has on the entire family. Much like our “founding mothers” fifteen years ago, these dynamic women believe in the power of engaging their kids in working to help those in need. We are so grateful for their dedication to JUST TRYAN IT and the families we serve. As parents, they lead by example, encouraging their children to put their families’ values into action.

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Inspired by Carrie, Kristen, Meredith, Tisha and the Stronger Together team? Here is what you can do to help:

Make a difference in the life of a child fighting cancer, today.

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