AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – Sheila Kroll-Dickinson survived breast cancer a decade ago but started a new fight with ovarian cancer last year.

“I’m fighting it, and I’m determined to win,” says Kroll-Dickinson who is on her third round of treatment.

Part of that fight is the Pink Out Mahoning Valley Music Festival – a free event she co-founded with Jenah Shank – because sometimes fighting includes celebrating the good days.

Pink Out isn’t a fundraiser. Rather, it’s an opportunity for those battling breast cancer to support each other, celebrate survivors and remember those lost to cancer – and to hear some great music.

Pink Out Mahoning Valley 2025, set for noon to 9 p.m. Oct. 5 in Austintown Township Park, includes a stellar line up of musical talent. Performances are slated by Silver Springs: A Fleetwood Mac Experience, One Fine Day, Rachell Joy, Julie Benner, Solo Sixstring, The David Ward Project, Mark Mecozzi, Don Tanner, Becky Kimble, Jen Carey, David Olsavsky, Shank, Dombrowski, David and Hermie Granati, members of The Fitch Rock Band, Sue Lovato, Jonathan O’Connor and The Pink Out All Star Band.

The Vindys will make a special guest appearance performing a short acoustic set.

“I think a lot of people don’t understand what we’re trying to do,” Shank says. “We’re trying to use music. … I think music’s important, and I think music can be an opportunity to celebrate. You can use music as an opportunity of expression, to cry, to support and to take some relief from the daily things you face.” 

That may be another round of treatments and the commute to the hospital, bills that keep coming, or the uncertainty of your own life or the cancer battle fought by someone you love. Shank hopes everyone – patients, survivors, family and friends – enjoys the atmosphere at Pink Out and knows they are supported. 

As someone who lost a brother and others to cancer, Shank says knowing people care about you and are there for you means a lot. A musician herself, Shank says she believes in the healing power of music. 

“This music is for you,” Shank says. “These songs are for you. We want you to have fun. We want you to enjoy life and we’re going to do what we can to give you an opportunity to do that even if it’s just a few hours for one day.”

Get Involved

Tommy’s Car Wash, Grace Exterminating and Card My Yard are among the sponsors supporting the 501(c)(3) Pink Out Mahoning Valley organization. Shank says they always need additional sponsors to help cover event expenses, which include the cost of using the park, pay for some musicians and decorations. 

They also give giftbags to survivors, so organizers are seeking donated items to include. Shank says they also need groups willing to hand out bags, set up tables or provide other help.

Vendors are not charged a fee to set up, but they need to RSVP and bring their own tables. There will be vendors and concessions available.

The concert is free, although donations are welcome. Those attending should bring lawn chairs or blankets, coolers with snacks and refreshments and an umbrella in case it rains. And attendees should wear pink. 

The event will be in the park’s bandshell.

The first year was quickly organized, when Kroll-Dickinson, who had been cancer-free for several years, suggested to Shank the idea for a party to celebrate with other cancer survivors. In the first two years, the event was held on a Tuesday, which was the regular night for concerts in Austintown’s park. But Shank says people said Sunday was a better day. 

This year’s third annual Pink Out will kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The date though  is difficult for Kroll-Dickinson. It would have been her husband, Ken’s, birthday and was chosen before his death in August. 

“When I told him we were doing it (on Oct. 5 ), he’s like, ‘No problem. I want you to do this. It means a lot to you. We can celebrate my birthday anytime,’” says Kroll-Dickinson. “So, we’re still making it a wonderful celebration. We’re celebrating cancer survivors. We’re celebrating everybody that’s going through treatment and quite a few that have lost family members.”

And Kroll-Dickinson says the Pink Out event serves as a reminder for everyone to go get tested and not to skip yearly mammogram and gynecologist appointments. Even if someone does not have insurance, she notes there are organizations that will help pay for a mammogram.

Kroll-Dickinson says she has benefited from new research and improvements in treatments and cuts to research both scare and concern her.

“There is a drug, Herceptin, for breast cancer that took 10 years of research, and I had that drug during my breast cancer for the type of breast cancer I had,” she says. “If that drug would not have existed, I would not be talking to you right now… There’s so many that are surviving that didn’t survive 20 years ago.”

At Pink Out, Kroll-Dickinson expects to see children bouncing beachballs and blowing bubbles throughout the park. The Austintown Fitch Little Cheerleaders are expected to return to cheer them. 

At night’s end, survivors, their supporters and some musicians will come together in front of the stage and sing together. 

Shank says that is significant for those battling the disease, demonstrating that people are behind them, next to them and holding their hands through their cancer journey.

“We’re going to have a wonderful grand finale with everybody singing at the end and it’s just going to be a great celebration,” Kroll-Dickinson says.

Pictured at top: Jenah Shank (left) and Sheila Kroll-Dickinson co-founded Pink Out Mahoning Valley to celebrate and support those affected by cancer.