Sharael Kolberg announces mission to run 50 miles in 50 days in all 50 states in support of breast cancer awareness

 On Sunday, June 7, National Cancer Survivors Day, breast cancer survivor Sharael Kolberg announced she is on a mission to run 50 miles in 50 days in all 50 states to celebrate her 50th birthday and support breast cancer awareness.

“For my 50th birthday, I wanted to do something big,” Kolberg says. “Since I love to travel, I came up with the idea of traveling to all 50 states during the year of my 50th birthday. But that didn’t seem like enough. I also wanted to combine it with giving back. So, since I was a runner before I got cancer, I thought it would be a great excuse to get back into running. I could do a one-mile run in each of the 50 states – for breast cancer awareness – in support of those who are in treatment and are having a hard time just getting out of bed. I’ve literally been in their shoes.”

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Local breast cancer survivor Sharael Kolberg 

Kolberg decided to partner with Susan G. Komen to provide resources on detection, diagnosis, and treatment for breast cancer. According to Susan G. Komen, more than 270,000 women and men in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and more than 42,000 will die. With early detection (stage I), survival rates can be 98 percent or higher.

On a mission, Kolberg started mapping out her journey across the U.S. She planned to visit places she’s always wanted to see, picking the cities (or national parks) she wanted to run in and the dates she would do her runs. Then the Coronavirus hit! 

“In order to keep others, and myself, safe, traveling was off the table,” Kolberg says. “So, I came up with the idea to partner with one runner in each state to do a run together virtually via Zoom.”

Kolberg will run one mile in her hometown of Laguna Beach live via Zoom with a person from each of the 50 states – that will total 50 miles for her. She is currently looking for people to join her team of runners.

For others who can’t, or don’t want to, run, but would like to support Kolberg’s mission, the runs will be broadcast live via Zoom webinars. Supporters can run along with Kolberg virtually in their own neighborhoods while watching Kolberg (using caution) run simultaneously via Zoom – or they can watch from the comfort of their couch. 

A calendar of where and when the runs will take place will be posted at www.50forthecure.org, where supporters can RSVP to watch the live events via Zoom.

“I’d love to get as many people as possible to sign up to join me virtually to support my cause to help spread breast cancer awareness,” says Kolberg. “I want to give breast cancer patients the hope that they can be in my shoes someday soon – out running again!

To sign up, visit www.50forthecure.org.