~ www.nacehagemann.com Jessica Berg-Collman coming in to the Mush for a Cure finish line. She has been taking part in the fundraiser since she was 11 years old and has raised over $34,000 to fight breast cancer.
At age 17 Jessica Berg-Collman is credited with raising more money in donations for breast cancer research than any other participant in the history of the Mush For a Cure. She is also the founder and organizer of the “Save a Boob Fishing Contest” held at six lakes in the Duluth/Cromwell area.
Now in its second year, the fishing event collected over $4,000 despite having a 15-inch snowfall the night before the event. Besides the fishing contest itself, Berg-Collman’s efforts provided several different activities such as a polar plunge, a head-shaving contest, and a spaghetti dinner with a dance following that featured two different bands.
The grand prize awarded was a one-day fishing trip with a professional fishing guide and a free cabin rental at Seagull Creek Fishing Camp on the Gunflint Trail for two to three people. There were also prizes for the largest fish caught of each species.
Berg-Collman completed her first Mush For a Cure at age 11 and is about to take part in her seventh running of the race. She began competing in the race because of her love for dog sledding.
Within a couple of years she began to fully realize the seriousness of the cause the race supports. She says of her participation, “I started to have people close to me diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2010 my log rolling coach got diagnosed and that really hit me hard.”
To date she has raised over $34,000 to help fight breast cancer. She will be off to college this fall but plans to continue hosting the event for years to come.
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