Day 21 of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month - On Location at the Just Tryan It Kids Triathlon

Oh, what a week in speaking, socializing, and volunteering for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Today, the family kept our promise of #helpingothers when we got up at 4:00 am to be in Bethesda, Maryland, for the JTI kids’ triathlon at the beautiful Landon School Campus. Racers from all over the area raised money from their families and neighbors by swimming, biking, and running to help kids who can’t, or at least not yet, while undergoing treatment. The Mission is simple: JUST TRYAN IT provides financial assistance to families with a child in cancer treatment to reduce financial stress and

help them through their cancer journey. Through education and action, we mobilize communities to support their neighbors in the fight against pediatric cancer.

Not only was our immediate family involved (Olivia, the Team Captain in Transition), minus our son-in-law, who was at home with baby Bodie, but we were there in full force, accompanied by a few extra people. Bill’s twin, Don, and his wife, Beth, joined in the fun, and our friends from Colorado, Mark and Linda Misencik, were also on hand to help 410 racers in the transition area of the race (where the bikes are stored while the participants go in and out from swimming, biking & running). The transition area always needs as much help as possible because it becomes extremely chaotic with all the coming and going, and little kids who don’t know where to go next. Bill and I always start our morning there by helping in this area until the race begins at 8:00 am. We then scoot over to the finish line to continue our duties as the announcers.

My favorite thing about this race is the kid(s) who proudly arrive with a bicycle with training wheels. There is no judgment; the kids are there to race as much as the kid with the $800 bike.

Announcing the racers while they cross the finish line is fast and furious and intense as you could imagine, especially when several cross the finish line at the same time. I tried my best to announce their names, the race course they completed, and the school with which they are affiliated. I botched names, I know, and apologized in advance through my various announcements. But I still got many compliments on my schick - I’ve been doing this ‘job’ for a few years now. Years ago, I was the announcer for high school and college track meets, so I do have the experience to go the distance.

JTI is in its 16th year of raising funds to help families fight not only the cancer, but the bills that pile up that insurance doesn’t cover (hint: there are many).

Smiles & Sweat Made Here!

Terri

A 2-minute video from JTI!