Virus impacts MVH fundraisers

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted two Monongahela Valley Hospital Foundation fundraisers this year, but foundation officials remain upbeat they will be able to keep raising funds through other methods.

The foundation recently made the decision to cancel its annual gala, with this year’s theme of “Under the Sea,” which was scheduled for Aug. 22. The gala was postponed from its original date of May 9.

Next year’s gala is scheduled for May 8.

And the foundation recently announced it will not hold its annual Breast Cancer Walk Oct. 10, opting to hold the event virtually the entire month.

The foundation’s director, Melissa Marion, said donors to the Breast Cancer Walk can use all of October to help spread awareness to fight breast cancer.

“They can donate, walk, run or bike throughout the whole month of October in lieu of walking with us,” Marion said.

There will be signs posted throughout Charleroi to guide people through the walking route, and participants can send in photos of themselves walking to be featured on the foundation’s website, with the end result of raising awareness for breast cancer.

“We want people to schedule their tests and attend screenings regularly,” Marion said. “It is safe to come to the hospital.

“We don’t want people to be afraid to come to a doctor’s office because of COVID. We want to make sure we find (cancer) early.

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