Frozen Feet 5K to raise funds for local families battling pediatric cancer
Nonprofit's Feb. 21 event at Episcopal High School supports families facing financial toll of pediatric cancer
A family friendly 5K walk and run to benefit families with children fighting cancer will take place Feb. 21 at Episcopal High School in Alexandria.
The Frozen Feet 5K, organized by the nonprofit JUST TRYAN IT, will begin at 9 a.m. with packet pickup starting at 8 a.m. The event supports the organization’s mission of easing the financial burden of pediatric cancer treatment for families in the greater Washington, D.C., area.
“A cancer diagnosis involves significant financial burdens, often requiring that parents leave their job, leading some families unable to pay their bills,” Andrea Duvall, an Alexandria resident who serves on the JUST TRYAN IT board, said in an email to The Alexandria Brief. “That increases stress on families at their toughest time and can also impact care.”
JUST TRYAN IT was founded more than 15 years ago by a Bethesda mother whose son Ryan — the namesake behind the organization — was fighting cancer. The nonprofit provides grants to local families with a child battling cancer to help pay mortgages, rent, utilities and other basic necessities so parents can focus on their child’s treatment.
Last year’s Frozen Feet event raised roughly $17,000. Organizers hope to grow that figure in 2026 by reaching more of the Alexandria community.
The need is significant. According to the organization’s 2024 impact report, 75% of patient families served have a household income of $59,000 or less, and 42% reported concerns about how to pay their rent or mortgage. Nearly half of families needed help covering transportation costs, and 46% of patients are under the age of 10.
In 2024, JUST TRYAN IT provided $371,446 in grants to 163 families across six partner hospitals in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina, impacting more than 800 individuals. The organization raised over $674,000 through individual, corporate and foundation donations.
Housing represents the largest category of need, accounting for 65% of grant expenditures, followed by transportation at 11%, utilities and funeral expenses at 9% each and food and groceries at 6%.
The organization operates two grant programs: an Emergency Assistance fund, which provided an average grant of $1,652 in 2024, and a Deep Needs fund for longer-term relief, with an average grant of $5,907.
“It wasn’t until a year into treatment that I realized how much we were struggling,” said Ana, a grant recipient quoted in the organization’s 2024 impact report. “I was so relieved when I heard about JUST TRYAN IT. It meant so much to me to know that we were not alone.”
This year’s Frozen Feet race is sponsored by Episcopal High School and Landmark Foot and Ankle Center, with Dr. Phil Garrett.
The event is open to all ages. Registration and donations are available at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/frozenfeet/ or at justtryanit.org.
