Tracy’s Kids helps young cancer patients cope with the emotional stress imposed by cancer and its treatment. Since its beginnings at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in 1991, the program has expanded to eight hospitals and medical centers (five in the DC region), including a new program for the children of military service members at Walter Reed. Masters-trained art therapists work with patients and their siblings, free of charge. During chemotherapy or prolonged waits, at their bedsides or in groups with other patients and families, children decide what kinds of projects to work on – a gift at a time when so many decisions are made by others. Significantly, these artistic creations provide the professional therapists with insights into their patients’ emotional health, which can be shared with the medical team. Your contribution brings art - and healing - to children who need it most.

COVID-19 Update: Tracy’s Kids has continued to provide services to patients in six of its eight programs, working with art therapists to develop and share online content hosted on YouTube. It encouraged donations of new, clean art supplies and mailed them to the therapists for distribution, or directly to patients when appropriate. To support participation in remote art therapy sessions, Tracy’s Kids has also created and distributed individual packets of art supplies for children to pick up during their clinic visits – a welcome surprise, and encouragement to engage with therapists in a happy and productive way.

Headquarters: MD-Montgomery County

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; MD-Montgomery County; MD-Prince George's County; MD-Howard County; VA-Arlington County; VA-Fairfax County; VA-City of Alexandria; VA-City of Fairfax; VA-City of Falls Church

Age Groups Served: Infants (0-2); Pre-K (3-4); Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24)

Population(s) Served: Not applicable


  • Number of people (clients, patrons, students, etc) we serve annually:   More than 3,500 in the DC area

Awards & Recognition

Washingtonian of the Year 2007: Matt Gerson (Founder and Chairman)

Featured on Harris' Heroes on ABC7 on July 8th 2015.

Featured on Comcast Newsmakers on April 1st 2015 and March 24th 2014.

Press

  • No stories found

Budget (FY2014)

  • $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • The current budget for Tracy's Kids is: $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About the Catalogue for Philanthropy

Each year 120 expert reviewers evaluate applicants for distinction, merit, and impact. Each featured charity has been successfully site visited and its financials given the thumbs up. The Catalogue for Philanthropy charges no fees and raises funds separately to support its work. Since 2003, it has raised over $40 million for charities across the Greater Washington region.

The Catalogue for Philanthropy looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to the Catalogue to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!

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