Kim Gonneau is No. 5 in the top 10 fundraisers in the GTA - Like thousands of other people embarking on the Weekend to End Breast Cancer walk in September, Kim Gonneau has her own cancer story.
The Whitby woman came in contact with the effects of the illness when her sister-in-law, Sally Pitre, was diagnosed two years ago and since then has become an unstoppable force behind the cause.
Last year Ms. Gonneau raised $21,900 -- a record she has already beaten this year with a total of $26,895 to date. And she's not stopping there. Her ultimate goal is $33,333 and with help from the community, she's well on her way.
"I've had such an amazing response from people in Oshawa and Whitby," she said. "Everyone is somehow affected by cancer and there's been so much support from the community."
Ms. Gonneau ranks No. 5 in the top 10 fundraisers from Toronto and surrounding areas. Thousands of people raise funds every year leading up to the big weekend of the 60-kilometre walk on Sept. 5, 6 and 7 in Toronto.
Participants are required to raise a minimum of $2,000 but many, like Ms. Gonneau, go above and beyond that. The total raised last year was $17.2 million from 5,521 fundraisers.
All proceeds benefit the Princess Margaret Hospital, a leader in the fight against cancer and the largest institution in Canada exclusively devoted to cancer treatment, research, and education.
Ms. Gonneau puts a creative spin on her fundraising efforts by giving away small tokens of gratitude for the donations. The gifts include beaded bookmarks, charms and keychains -- many of which she has made herself. She spends her free time beading all year round, with the help of her daughter, Amanda.
Ms. Gonneau's method of fundraising steers away from asking people to donate and instead aims to lead by example. She sets up her booth at various locations, hoping to attract people to the cause with the bright pink accessories. She encourages anyone to share a story about their own experience with the illness.
"How much money I've raised is equivalent to how many people's lives are touched," she said, adding that it's the personal connection with the people she meets that makes it all worthwhile.
Event organizers encourage people to find original ways to spread the word to bring in donations. Fundraising empowers walkers, said Christine Lasky, vice-president of strategic initiatives for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation.
"I think (Kim's fundraising method) is fabulous," she said. "It certainly takes an extra amount of commitment, energy and motivation on her part."
When she participated in the walk event for the first time last year, Ms. Gonneau said she was in excruciating pain and unable to walk for three days afterwards.
But that didn't stop her from continuing the efforts this year and even though her sister-in-law is cancer-free today, Ms. Gonneau remains devoted to the cause.
"The experience (of doing the trek) is indescribable," she said. "I plan on doing it as long as I can walk."
Ms. Gonneau is excited to be one of the top fundraisers and is hopeful about reaching her goal. But said she wouldn't mind dropping a few spots lower on the list.
"Even if I'm not No. 1, that's OK, because it just means more people are donating money," she said. "I'd love to be bumped off the list -- that's a good thing if it happens."
Link to story as it appears on DurhamRegion.com
On September 5, thousands of people will set off to walk 60 km through the streets of Toronto. It's not a race but Wenona Lake cottager Kim Gonneau will take her first step knowing that she's already in the top five.
She has raised an astounding $24,757, which gives her the fifth spot among all the people raising money in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer for Princess Margaret Hospital.
Her goal is to raise $33,333 and she'd like fellow Highlanders to help. She's organized the silent auction of a painting by Anita Trotter. It's on display at Wind in the Willows day spa at Wigamog Inn until August 14 and people are invited to drop by and make bids.
"There are no words to describe this most amazing event," she says on the Weekend to End Breast Cancer website. "Over the last year I have met wonderful people while fundraising and it seems that everyone has been touched either directly or indirectly by cancer. Raising funds for the cause is the very least I can do."
Last year was the first time she participated in the two-day event and she was hooked. The support of the people along the route through Toronto streets was incredible. "When I didn't think I could go on, I would turn the corner and cheer¬ing residents were there to spring me forward."
Gonneau and her husband run a 24/7 emergency restoration business in Scarborough and 24/7 would also describe how much time she puts into raising money for the event.
She makes cell phone charms and book marks in her "spare" time and then spends what's left of her week selling them along with a number of other breast cancer gift items.
"Several weekends ago, she raised almost $1,800 at the Haliburton liquor store," her sister-in-law Glenda Bryson says with admiration.
If you would like to help Gonneau reach her goal of $33,333, you can make a pledge online. Go to www.endcancer.ca and click on the Toronto event. If you'd like to make a bid on the painting, drop by Wind in the Willows or e-mail Bryson at glenda@brysonsmarine.com.
Kim Gonneau has been a cottager in Haliburton County for the past 10 years, but that doesn't mean she's been taking it easy.
Last year, Gonneau raised $21,900 for breast cancer and this year she's well on her way to beating that record.
"My goal this year is to raise $33,333.33," said Gonneau who was raising funds in front of the LCBO in Haliburton two weeks ago.
Gonneau first decided to get involved in the fight against breast cancer after her sister-in-law Sally was diagnosed with the disease in May of 2006. Thankfully, her Sally is currently cancer-free. Since her sister-in-law's diagnoses, she has participated annually in the 60 km "Weekend to End Breast Cancer" walk held by the Princess Margaret Hospital. She is currently ranked #5 in the top 10 fundraisers in Toronto.
"Last year was going to be my last walk, but I decided that I'm going to walk forever," she says. Gonneau, who lives in Whitby, works full-time as an insurance contractor. Whenever she finds some free time, she can be found working away on jewellery and other items that she sells to raise funds for the cause.
"The job I have is a 14-hour a day job but I still find the time to do this. It's very important to me." Gonneau says that with the assistance of her daughter, who came up with theme of "Hope Blooms", the two spend up to three hours a night working to create these various pieces.
On her personal fundraising page located on the Weekend to End Cancer web site, Gonneau states, "I am walking for my Sally, however my walk will also benefit all of the ‘Sally’s’ of tomorrow.”