A solitary figure can be seen trudging through the long miles that separate his home in Allouez and his destination at the northern-most tip of Washington Island.

Toby Kufahl, 20, a graduate of Notre Dame Academy, is walking almost 150 miles to raise awareness for childhood cancer.

Kufahl met his inspiration, Austin DeGroot, 11, through Austin’s older sister.

“Austin has amazing perseverance and dedication and he does whatever he has to do to be healthy again,” Kufahl said.

Austin was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of 8 in January 2008.

Recently he finished a 2-1/2 year round of chemotherapy treatment, spinal taps and bone marrow transplants.

II was in high school when I founded the organization, Kufahl said.  “I was sitting in class one day, trying to figure out what I could do to help and decided I was going to walk 150 miles.”

Last year, Kufahl raised roughly $12,000 on the walk.  This year, with limited advertising, the results have been far less.  But that doesn’t change the determination.

In his second year of making the trek, Kufahl left his home in Allouez on Sunday, April 13 at 8 AM.

He will follow the same route he did last year, following the western-most path in the county to North Port and beyond.

“Just so I don’t cheat myself, I walk laps on the second floor of the ferry to Washington Island,” Kufahl said.

Last year, Kufahl finished his walk on Rock island but will not be extending hiss journey there this year because of prior commitments. That commitment is participating in the Walk MS 2008 event in Brown County. Following that, Kufahl will walk May 3 for the American Cancer Society.

“I do as many walks as possible to raise any kind of awareness: MS, Tour de Cure, a bike ride for childhood diabetes,” Kufahl said.

He has also enlisted in the Navy and will leave for basic training June 4.

Kufahl walked his longest leg his first day, wearing 31 miles in his soles, ending in Dykesville Sunday night. After that, Kufahl says he averages about 20 miles a day.

Today, he will be on County Highway B on his way to Egg Harbor.  He will stay at the Landmark Resort tonight – in a condo suite they have donated each of the last two years.

His backpack – which he wears the entire time he is walking – weight 50-80 pounds, depending on the amount of water he has with him. Kufahl also carries clothes, food, and anything he may need during his excursion, besides a tent.

I wanted to sleep outside, but my mom is a bit overprotective – there are too many creatures in the woods,” Kufahl joked.

Kufahl generally walks by himself, trailed only by his mother, Sandra, in the car.

Generous people along the way have opened up their homes to give Kufahl a lace to crash for the night.

“I walk until I can’t walk anymore,” he said. “Then I take a break, stretch out and start in again.”

Kufahl plans to arrive on Washington Island Saturday afternoon, then back to the main land that evening to make the MS Walk in Brown County the next day.

To donate, stop Kufahl on his odyssey through the county and give right through the car window to his mother.  Donations can also be made at Chase Bank, 2635 Libal Street, Green Bay, or at www.hopeforaustin.org.