Actress Olivia Wilde arrives at the 23rd Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Gala in Palm Springs, California January 7, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

Nine years ago, actress Olivia Wilde ran, or rather walked, in the EIF Revlon Run/Walk. This year she will host it for the first time when it takes to the streets of New York on May 5. Wilde joins fellow first-time ambassador Emma Stone for the event that supports women's cancer research.

"Emma and I will kick off the event and welcome everybody, then we'll participate," Wilde said of her duties, which includes pounding the pavement with thousands of participants.

Wilde says she may run alongside Stone, but only for a short time.

"Maybe Emma will run in the front, and I'll bring up the rear," Wilde joked. "I probably will have such shin splints after attempting to run I will be recovering on ice."

The EIF Revlon Run/Walk is one of the nation's largest single-day fundraisers. Each year, tens of thousands participate in its New York and Los Angeles event. The company has distributed more than $65 million to date for research projects.

Wilde says she's proud to participate because cancer has affected several women in her life and she's eager to help find a cure. She feels the best chance comes from the private sector.

"I'm optimistic that in my lifetime we will find one. Or certainly in the same way that's happened with HIV in the last 30 years where treatment has gotten to a much better place. But that can only happen if there's money behind research and that doesn't just happen magically," Wilde said.

She added: "It's incredibly important to view the influence that multinational companies like Revlon have for the greater good."

The Revlon Run/Walk comes to Los Angeles on May 12, where six-time host Halle Berry takes to the streets to help find a cure.