Riverwalk Casino and Hotel announced Monday it would not hold its annual Bras Along the Bridge campaign due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bras Along the Bridge is an annual event held each October to raise awareness of breast cancer as well as money for the American Cancer Society.

Instead, casino officials announced a $5,000 donation would be made to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research.

“We’re very pleased to make this donation to the American Cancer Society,” Ginny Tzotzolas, Riverwalk Casino General Manager, said. “For the health and safety of the public and our Team Members, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Bras Along The Bridge in 2020. It’s the right thing to do, given the current environment.

“The fight against breast cancer continues, and we look forward to keeping the Bras Along the Bridge tradition going next year — bigger and better than ever!” Tzotzolas added.

In 2019, the event set a record, as it raised $12,103 for the American Cancer Society. According to organizers, the event up until last year had raised $155,000 for breast cancer research.

“Each year, this is a special event for us,” Christy Bridges, American Cancer Society representative, said. “But we understand the issues and are thrilled that Riverwalk is willing to step up and make such a generous donation in 2020.”