PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — CalvertHealth plans to host its 16th annual Breast Cancer 5K on October 18, 2025, in Solomons, drawing participants for a run or walk to support local cancer care amid higher-than-average breast cancer rates in Calvert County. The event, set for a Saturday morning at the Solomons Medical Office Building on Solomons Island Road, includes a timed 5K and an untimed 1.5-mile option along the island’s waterfront, with proceedsaiding the Sheldon E. Goldberg Center for Breast Care and its affiliation with Duke Health.
Organizers expect to build on last year’s turnout of more than 1,000 people, the largest in the event’s history, as participants gather in pink to promote awareness and funding for breast health services in Southern Maryland. Check-in starts at 7 a.m., followed by an 8 a.m. program before the races begin. Early registration by September 18 guarantees a T-shirt, while sign-ups through October 10 qualify for discounted pricing; fees rise to $50 afterward, with options available until race day. Interested residents can register online at CalvertHealthFoundation.org or call 410-414-4570 for details.
Proceeds directly benefit the Sheldon E. Goldberg Center for Breast Care at CalvertHealth Cancer Center, the first multidisciplinary breast center in Southern Maryland, which opened in 2010 and provides advanced imaging, surgery, oncology and support services. The center’s partnership with Duke Health, a leading national program, allows access to clinical trials, research and specialized guidelines, enabling patients to receive high-level care without traveling far from home. Since its inception, the CalvertHealth Breast Cancer 5K has raised over $600,000 to sustain these efforts, including nurse navigation, financial assistance and technology upgrades.
Breast cancer remains a pressing concern in Calvert County, where incidence rates stand at 138.6 cases per 100,000 females, exceeding Maryland’s statewide average of 135.5 and the national figure of 129.8, according to health data. Late-stage diagnoses among women under 50 also show elevated trends, with Maryland’s rate at 21.1 per 100,000, highlighting the need for early detection and local resources. Mortality rates in the county surpass both state and U.S. benchmarks, underscoring the event’s role in funding prevention and treatment. One in eight women will face a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, with early detection boosting five-year survival to 99 percent, as noted in prior CalvertHealth reports.
“The Breast Cancer 5K has grown into a cherished tradition in Southern Maryland,” said Barry Friedman, Foundation Board vice chair and 5K committee chair. “It’s a morning of remembrance, hope and unity—patients, caregivers, family, friends, co-workers, parishioners, classmates and neighbors all come together with a shared commitment to supporting breast cancer care right here in our community.”
He added, “In 2024, we welcomed more than 1,000 participants for the first time in our history. Solomons Island was splashed with pink as participants gathered for this important cause, and we hope to see an even larger crowd in 2025. We all know someone who has been touched by breast cancer. Join us—form a team, walk with friends and be part of a tradition that is making a real difference.”
The Sheldon E. Goldberg Center, named for a local physician, integrates a team of specialists including surgeons, radiologists, oncologists and navigators like Renee Sbrocco and Lindsey Thompson, who guide patients through diagnosis and treatment. Services encompass 3D mammography, biopsy procedures and infusion therapy, with an oncology social worker and financial navigator addressing non-medical needs. The Duke Health affiliation, established to elevate standards, brings current protocols and education to staff, enhancing outcomes for area residents. This collaboration aligns with CalvertHealth’s broader cancer program, accredited for quality care.
Past CalvertHealth Breast Cancer 5K events have adapted to challenges, such as shifting to virtual formats during the pandemic before returning in-person, and consistently draw community support. In 2022, the 13th annual gathering raised nearly $61,000, contributing to the cumulative total. The 14th edition in 2023 emphasized local access amid rising cases, while earlier years partnered with sites like Jefferson Patterson Park for awareness walks. Organizers highlight how funds have expanded screenings and support groups, vital in a county where about 74 new diagnoses occur annually, per recent trends.
Sponsors for the 2025 CalvertHealth Breast Cancer 5K include AV3, Seven Lands & Seas Travel, Mr. Bob Carpenter and Dr. Stephan Peters, Associates in Radiation Medicine, Avian, Constellation/Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, A and W Insurance Services Inc., American Radiology Services, Asbury Solomons, City National Bank, COA Barrett LLC, Crane Service Co., Sneade’s Ace Home Center, College of Southern Maryland, McKinstry Consulting, GW CPA, Belmont Point Management, Cedar Point Federal Credit Union, Dixie Miller and Jim Ritter, Dr. Ramona Crowley in memory of Dr. Sheldon E. Goldberg, Indian Township Solutions, M&T Bank, the Pharmacy at PJ Bean, St. Patrick’s and Charlotte Hall, and Toyota of Southern Maryland. Additional sponsorship slots remain open for businesses seeking to contribute.
Solomons, a waterfront community at the southern tip of Calvert County, offers a picturesque setting for the CalvertHealth Breast Cancer 5K, with views of the Patuxent River and easy access via Route 4. The location ties into the area’s maritime heritage, where events like this foster community bonds. CalvertHealth, serving the county since 1919, operates the only hospital in the region, emphasizing preventive health through initiatives like this fundraiser.
As breast cancer affects families across Southern Maryland, the CalvertHealth Breast Cancer 5K provides a platform for action, aligning with national efforts during October’s awareness month. Participants often form teams in honor of loved ones, turning personal stories into collective support. With registration ongoing, organizers anticipate another record year to advance care at the Sheldon E. Goldberg Center.
