AUSTINTOWN — Breast cancer survivor Sheila Kroll-Dickinson wasn’t interested in another fundraiser. She wanted to celebrate.

“Everybody has walking benefits or racing benefits, but nobody was having a fun music event where they throw beach balls and have bubbles,” she said.

So Kroll-Dickinson and friends put together their own party, Pink Out Mahoning Valley. From 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Austintown Township Park band shell, six local musical acts will share the stage for a free celebration of breast cancer survivors and remembrance of lost loved ones.

The lineup of performers and speakers includes Solo Sixstring, Rachell Joy, Untamed Band and Diane Drapcho. The event is being hosted by Kroll-Dickenson and Brenda Rider, both of whom are breast cancer survivors, and Jenah Shank and David Olsavsky of the music duo Meet Virginia. Austintown writer / poet Kathleen Higham will read an inspirational poem from one of her published books.

Visitors are encouraged to wear pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, bring lawn chairs or blankets and pack coolers with snacks. There will be food and ice cream trucks, bubbles and beach balls. A hat may be passed for anyone who wishes to tip the musicians, but no pledges or payments will be taken to benefit any cause or research.

“We didn’t want it to be a fundraiser,” Kroll-Dickinson said.

INSPIRATION

A routine mammogram eight years ago revealed invasive ductal carcinoma, Kroll-Dickinson said.

“I had no symptoms whatsoever,” she said. “I had no warning signs.”

She went through six rounds of chemotherapy and 30 of radiation treatments.

“It was pretty rough,” she said. “Anyone that says it’s easy… it’s not.”

The diagnosis also introduced her to the world of statistics and benefits.

According to the Ohio Department of Health Annual Cancer Report released in March:

∫ Breast cancer remains the No. 1 invasive cancer in Ohio, accounting for 14.6 percent of new cases, in 2020, the most recent year for which statistics have been compiled and analyzed. Lung and bronchus cancer followed with 14.2 percent of all new cases of cancer, and prostate cancer was third with 12.8 percent.

∫ Breast cancer accounted for 6.7 percent of all cancer deaths, the fourth-highest rate. Lung and bronchial cancers by far lead cancer deaths with 25.1 percent of the fatalities. Colon and rectum cancer (8.5 percent) and pancreas (7.5 percent) were second and third among cancer deaths.

Kroll-Dickinson saw that most events to raise awareness about breast cancer were based around competition — who can raise the most money, who can run the fastest, who can walk the farthest, who can score the most points.

“I talked to a few of the other survivors, and they said we need a party, and I said yeah.”

She contacted singer / songwriter Jenah Shank of the duo Meet Virginia, and Shank helped organize the Pink Out celebration practically overnight.

“I kind of thought we’ll see how it goes,” Shank said. “It’s the first year for it. It’s trial by fire.”

She reached out to other musicians, and those who had openings and wanted to volunteer did so. It produced what should be a pleasing variety, Kroll-Dickinson said.

“Solo does a little country and a little rock ‘n’ roll; Rachell does church music and blues; Diane does Carole King,” and so on, she said.

Remember, wear pink and leave your pledge cards at home.

bcole@tribtoday.com