Breast cancer survivor sparks awareness with 50-mile run

Breast cancer survivor Sharael Kolberg set out to celebrate her 50th birthday by running a mile a day for 50 days in all 50 states to raise awareness and funds to fight the disease.

A travel writer, she thought it would be the perfect opportunity to visit each state, but then COVID-19 struck. 

“Everyone started doing events online, so I came up with the idea to find someone from every state to run virtually with on Zoom,” she said. “It took a couple months, but two days before my 50th birthday I found the last person.”

Beginning on her birthday, Aug. 11, in her hometown of Laguna Beach, Calif., Kolberg has run virtually with a partner in each state. 

On Sept. 21, she ran while Rep. Bryan Shupe, R-Milford, walked with his family from his neighborhood to Bayhealth Sussex Campus to showcase Delaware’s farming community and discuss Cape Region beaches. 

“I love to run and bike, and I’m always involved in helping people,” Shupe said, “I’ve been involved with raising money for breast cancer awareness in the past, so I thought, why not? It’s a great cause.”

Shupe said he was impressed with Kolberg’s innovative way to create awareness and raise funds during the pandemic. 

“It’s showing people that although some options are taken away by the pandemic, there are still ways we can connect,” he said. “It’s also important to remind people there are more health threats out there than COVID-19. I hope she will one day be able to do her run in all 50 states.”

During her runs, Kolberg discusses different topics related to breast cancer awareness, with a focus on timely self-exams and mammograms.

“Early detection saves lives,” she said. “Susan G. Komen [breast cancer foundation] says there is a 98 percent survival rate with early detection.”

As a result of miscommunication, Kolberg was two years overdue for her mammogram by the time she found a lump. Her primary care physician and gynecologist each thought the other was prescribing her mammograms.

“I just lost track,” she said. “When I found the lump, it was not a pleasant experience. Postponing a mammogram even a couple months can make a huge difference, especially with a rapidly growing cancer.”  

She was diagnosed with stage 2 triple negative breast cancer. She had three tumors; the largest was four centimeters. After five months of IV chemotherapy, two lumpectomies, six months of oral chemotherapy and 36 rounds of radiation, she finished treatment in December 2019.

“I had everything but a mastectomy,” she said.

Now, she’s raising money for Susan G. Komen to fund research to find a cure.

“I also want to give hope to women in treatment now,” she said. “I’ve been in your shoes – literally – and want to give you hope that you will one day be in mine.”

Learn about Kolberg’s virtual journey and donate at 50fortheCure.org.