While most participants might be pounding the pavement on a regular training regimen to prepare for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer, Kim Kozak isn't among them.

Her face lights up at the question about training for the two-day, 60-kilometre walk.

"I'm a stay-at-home mom of three very active boys. I've been in training for the past eight years," she said with a laugh.

Kim will join thousands of women and men on the streets of Toronto Sept. 5-7 for the fundraiser to benefit the Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research.

Kim said she knew the walk existed but decided to wait until her boys got older before getting involved. About three months ago she came across an advertisement promoting the annual event. Something clicked. This was the year to make the commitment.

"I don't know anybody who hasn't been touched by cancer in someway, whether it's a man, woman or child who has won or lost the battle," said Kim. "I wanted to honour them and do this walk for them."

Kim said some of her friends, family members and even husband Jeff were skeptical about her decision.

Typical reactions were "You're too busy," or "That's too far (60 kilometres)," and the one that really irked Kim, "You're never going to raise enough money."

"Needless to say, all this negativity was a great motivator," said Kim. "I had to prove these people wrong. After all, where would we be if everybody felt that way and didn't get involved?"

To raise the $2,000 required from each participant, Kim sent a general e-mail to everyone on her contact list. People responded, not only with their own donations but the names of others who might be interested in contributing to Kim's cause.

So far the tally is $1,100. In return for a donation, Kim will write the name requested by a donor on the pink T-shirt she wears that weekend.

"My hope is that my T-shirt will be filled with names and I will gladly buy pink shorts too if I get enough donations," said Kim. "I'll feel very proud and honoured that day to be wearing those names."

To learn more about the Weekend to End Breast Cancer or to make a donation to Kim, log onto www.endcancer.ca.