Pink Heavenly event canceled to limit chance of spread of coronavirus COVID-19

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Pink Heavenly, the annual fundraising event at Heavenly Mountain Resort to raise funds for Barton Health's cancer support services, has been canceled.

Originally planned for March 21, 2020, organizers with the Barton Foundation canceled the event to "protect community members, employees and care providers in the spread of novel coronavirus COVID-19."

Barton Health says their decision was a precautionary measure with the importance of prevention and reducing the risk of vulnerable populations’ exposure in mind. While the on-mountain event is canceled, fundraising will continue for Pink Heavenly’s cause; Cancer Support Services through Barton Health - programs dedicated to improving the lives of those fighting cancer.

Barton’s hospital operations and clinical patient care across its network of medical offices remain fully operational. Heavenly Mountain Resort is also open and operating normally.

Pink Heavenly benefits Barton’s Cancer Support Services, a program that receives direct funding from the Barton Foundation to improve the lives of community members fighting cancer through wellness programs and help for patients and loved ones living with all types of cancer. Funds already raised for Pink Heavenly 2020 will be rolled into next year’s Pink Heavenly event, happening in March of 2021 at Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe.

“Pink Heavenly benefits some of our most vulnerable community members, and we encourage event participants to continue fundraising efforts and join us in support of local cancer patients” said Chris Kiser, Barton Foundation Executive Director. “Although this precaution was not an easy decision to make, it is the right decision to protect the health and safety of our community and our care providers. The Foundation will continue its commitment to Cancer Support Services through Barton Health and providing funding to keep these services available. ”

Barton Health is proactively taking safety precautions in light of the COVID-19 domestic spread, following the recommended guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). With growing cases in California and Nevada, the arrival of COVID-19 in South Lake Tahoe is likely and taking precautionary measures is essential to limit its spread. Barton Health is prepared to address this and other viruses like influenza and provide coordinated care to the region under the guidance of local county health departments.

For more information about the Barton Foundation’s Pink Heavenly event and to donate to the cause, visit pinkheavenly.com. To find more information about Cancer Support Services at Barton, or the latest COVID-19 updates and CDC recommendations, visit bartonhealth.org.