ASHLAND — Ashland County’s first event of 2021 has now been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Tuesday morning, the organizers of the annual Polar Bear Dip Cold for a Cure formally announced plans to the 15th annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and Fight Colorectal Cancer.
“We are wishing a happy and safe holiday season to you and your families. It is with a sad heart that due to COVID-19 we are cancelling the Polar Bear Dip this year,” the organizers, Chad and Shelia Schrack said in an email. “Safety is a top priority and because of this we feel the best option is to cancel and postpone until January 1, 2022. Thank you for your support and thank you in advance for understanding.”
The local tradition began in 2007, the year after Shelia was diagnosed with colon cancer. Her husband, Chad, set out to raise awareness and money for cancer research by running into the freezing cold waters of Charles Mill Lake on New Years Day.
Family and friends joined. Then, the community got behind the cause, too.
About 35 people took the plunge in 2007, but in more recent years, between 150 and 200 gather for the event.
“We get a lot of cancer survivors, even if they don’t get in, they come down to watch,” Chad Schrack said. “And if they’ve been through treatment or they are in treatment, they could be more at risk of getting COVID.”
Though he believes social distancing could perhaps be accommodated as people people run into the lake, it would be challenging to maintain as people return to the shore.
“You lose your bearings a little bit when you’re coming back out. It’s cold,” Chad Schrack said. “It’s just not a very smart thing to do right now.”
Though the decision was announced Tuesday to media, the Schracks had already realized the event could not go on earlier this year.
“I am sorry to inform all, but the Polar Bear Dip is cancelled for this year due to COVID. If anything changes we will let you know,” they posted on Facebook in October.
In recent years, the event has raised between $4,000 and $6,000.
Donations from the event were typically split in half between the American Cancer Society and Fight Colorectal Cancer.
To support the American Cancer Society, visit www.cancer.org, and to donate to Fight Colorectal Cancer, visit fightcrc.org.
“Please support local nonprofits, cancer charities, if you can,” Chad Schrack said. “Cancer never quits, even though COVID is here.”
