Leechburg cancels annual 'Pink Day' because of coronavirus

An annual Leechburg event that raises money for breast cancer research will not happen this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

This would have been the ninth year for Leechburg’s Pink Day, which since its inception has raised about $110,000 for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

“We could take a chance and we could do it, but we won’t do that because we don’t want to put our nonprofit in jeopardy,” said Sherry Jackson Price, event organizer. “Also, we look at the safety aspect of the people who are attending.”

Price said a number of issues led to the decision to cancel the Sept. 19 event.

Armstrong County moved to the green phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s phased reopening plan, but gatherings of more than 250 people are still prohibited.

Price said the organization couldn’t comply with that mandate because vendors, volunteers, performers and musicians alone make up close to 250 Pink Day attendees. About 5,000 people in total came to last year’s event.

“At this particular point, it’s just so uncertain,” Price said. “Something could happen now that the county’s gone green. The numbers could spike again for all we know.”

Other issues included stipulations with liability insurance and the fact the event is funded mainly by Leechburg businesses. Price said it would be unfair to ask businesses for support this year given the impact the coronavirus restrictions have had on them.

“It’s in the thousands of dollars that it costs us to put this event on,” Price said. “We didn’t want to put any kind of a burden like that on our businesses that have been crazily supportive of us for the last eight years.”

Despite the cancellation, the group still is trying to raise money.

People can order Pink Day shirts through the event’s public Facebook group or by Facebook messaging Price directly. Monetary donations can be made via Facebook Pay or sent to Price directly. Information on how to do that can be found in the Facebook group.

Price also is trying to set up an online silent auction, which is a big money raiser. Last year’s silent raised nearly $5,000.

“It’s our biggest fundraiser. We don’t want to not give that a shot,” Price said.

Mayor Wayne Dobos said Pink Day helps borough businesses because some people who attend will come back to shop. Part of Market Street is closed off so people can enjoy a day of shopping, live entertainment, food and community unity.

Dobos said the cancellation is regrettable and ironic.

“Pink Day was there to help save lives and, ultimately, by canceling Pink Day, we’re probably going to save some lives by not spreading the virus,” Dobos said.