The Weekend To End Breast Cancer

Among the many other events going on in the city this weekend, today is the kickoff of the fourth annual Weekend to End Breast Cancer, a two-day, 60km walk throughout the neighbourhoods of Toronto supporting breast cancer initiatives at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Prior to the event, each of the thousands of participants were required to raise a minimum of $2000 in donations in order to walk this weekend. Not only do most participants reach their donation goals, but many far succeed it, with the top 10 fundraisers this year raising over $30,000 each. Last year the event raised over $16-million, which was a new record for the walk.

If you happen to see large groups of walkers wearing pink (or possibly some wacky outfits) while out and about this weekend, take a moment to stop and acknowledge all the hard work and training these dedicated people have put in over the past year. Take a moment to honour your loved ones who've survived or lost the battle of breast cancer. Or at the very least, take a moment to think about how hard it is to walk 30km two days in a row.

While the WTEBC website does not provide an exact route of the walk, they do have a list of cheering stations here.

Photo courtesy of Irina Souiki, a participant of the Weekend to End Breast Cancer.