Erlanger Health System’s 2021 “Believe Bash” – the annual fundraising event benefiting Children’s Hospital at Erlanger – has been “canceled due to rising COVID-19 numbers and community health and safety concerns,” according to a news release issued Thursday.
The release states that Erlanger leadership decided to cancel the sold-out, circus-themed event, which was set to take place at the Chattanooga Convention Center on Aug. 7, “out of an abundance of caution” after consulting with “expert physicians about the risks of an in-person event at this stage of the pandemic.”
Over the past month, the COVID-19 weekly averages for cases and hospitalizations in the county have risen by 1,200% and 667%, respectively, according to data from the Hamilton County Health Department.
“We take the health and safety of our associates, community and supporters very seriously and determined that we could not safely hold this event at this time,” Dr. William Jackson, Erlanger president and CEO, said in the release. “We appreciate the continued philanthropic support from our community and their understanding as we navigate these challenging times.”
Last year, Erlanger transitioned to a cyber Believe Bash, which brought in $364,000 gross. The event’s highest fundraising year was 2018, which brought in $700,000 gross.
Believe Bash co-chairs Candy Johnson and Mary Kilbride said via news release, “We would like to thank our hard working Believe Bash committee members and staff, who worked tirelessly planning an event during these unusual times. We are disappointed that we can’t meet ‘Under the Big Top,’ but understand the organization’s decision. A big thanks to our sponsors for their continued support of Erlanger.”
Sponsors, table hosts and ticket holders are being contacted with options regarding the cancellation, according to the release.
Ticket holders with questions or concerns can reach out to the Erlanger Health System Foundation at 423-778-6278 or FoundationEvents@erlanger.org.
Contact Elizabeth Fite at efite@timesfreepress.com or 615-757-6673. Follow her on Twitter @ecfite.