Nearly one-third of families with children who have cancer struggle to meet basic needs during treatment, forcing them to make unimaginable decisions: do they pay for medication or for food? Do they skip a chemotherapy appointment so that they can pay their mortgage? In 2018, JUST TRYAN IT assisted in removing these barriers, allowing social workers to allocate $313,449.81 in direct financial assistance to 250 families living and receiving cancer care in Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia, and Washington, DC.

In addition to the grants distributed, $25,000 in gift cards and parking vouchers were delivered to 250 additional families at Sinai Baltimore, Johns Hopkins, Children’s National, Inova Health and Duke Children’s. During the holiday season, further support was provided though the Hope for the Holidays campaign, giving 15 families $11,500 to enable them to celebrate with their critically ill loved one.

As cancer affects the entire family, the grant, gift card and Hope for the Holidays support made a tremendous difference in the lives of 2,142 individuals. Because of JUST TRYAN IT’s dedication and the generosity of their donors, each family received financial support at a time in which every gesture of hope and relief mattered. Simply, 2,210 individuals struggling with the financial burden of a pediatric cancer diagnosis were able to remain in their home, put food on their table, safely travel to treatment and maintain access to cancer care.

As always, we hope this report serves as a powerful reminder and representation of the strength of a community. Together we are changing the face of cancer and we are truly grateful for your continued generosity. Simply put, we couldn’t do this work without you!