DeKALB | Sam Ihm has more friends than he knows.

The second annual Caps 4 Sam, Walk 4 Wisdom and Run 4 Research at Hopkins Park were held Saturday, with the 5k timed run at 1 p.m. and the walk at 1:15 p.m.

All money raised benefits Chicago Children’s Memorial Hospital, where Sam was a patient.

Caps 4 Sam, a non-profit organization created by Ihm’s family, raises money for brain tumor research.

“When Sam had his surgery, we were all going to shave our heads, too,” said Mary Overbey, Sam’s grandmother and the event’s coordinator. “But instead we all wore caps.”

Daryll Carlson, 46, of the Quad Cities, holds Sam’s story close to heart, as Carlson was a Children’s Memorial Hospital patient for the first 18 years of his life.

“Just being here is a great privilege to be able to give back to the hospital,” Carlson said.

Overbey said more people participated this year than last.

“Registrations were way up from last year,” Overbey said. “We had 712 people involved last year, from workers to runners to spectators.”

Overbey was grateful to the university community.

“We’ve gotten a lot of help from NIU,” Overbey said. “They’ve kind of adopted Sam.”

State Rep. Bob Prtichard (R-Ill.) agreed.

“It’s great that the NIU community is so involved,” Pritchard said. “The town really benefits from having the university here.”

Greek organizations also participated, either by running, walking or working the event.

“They came to our chapter to talk to us about it,” said Jaclyn Curtis, member of Delta Zeta and a freshman eduvcation major. “We had already decided we were going to help.”

“It’s just a good feeling to give back to the people who need it,” said Heather Dornhecker, member of Delta Zeta and sophomore education major.

The first runner to cross the finish line was Ray Heriaud, 30, of Oswego, who is affectionately called “Running Ray.”

Heriaud said he tries to run in memory of those who have died. Recently, an Oswego teen died, and Heriaud has been running for him.

“This one’s for Matt,” Heriaud said.

Heriaud said this year’s race had a greater turnout than last year, with 71 runners last year, and about 145 participants this year.