DeKalb residents and NIU students will have a chance to help support pediatric brain tumor research at the Walk 4 Wisdom on May 7.

The Walk 4 Wisdom is a 3K walk and a 5K run through Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road. Registration will start at 12:30 p.m., and the run will start promptly at 1:15 p.m. The walk will start shortly after, at 1:30 p.m.

In January 2005, DeKalb resident Sam Ihm was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Two weeks later, Sam had surgery at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Sam and his two brothers developed the idea for Caps 4 Sam, said Mary Overbey, Sam’s grandmother and organizer of the walk.

“Sam knew he would have to wear a cap, so his brothers wore them too, and then the school also started to wear them,” Overbey said. Sam is currently doing well and is able to play baseball again.

All profits will go to the Caps 4 Sam charity, which, in conjunction with the Children’s Memorial Hospital, supports pediatric brain tumor research.

Registration is $10 for the walk, $20 for the run and $25 for a family of three or more. The fee also pays for a T-shirt and a raffle ticket. Prizes such as a portable DVD player and gift certificates will be raffled off.

Because this is the first Walk 4 Wisdom, runners will have a chance to establish the course records. Awards will be given out to the first, second and third place winners in each division. Trophies will also be given to male and female overall winners who establish the course records.

Also at the event will be the band, Johnny and the Boomers. Activities for kids will be available, along with food.

Overbey is anticipating about 300 people at this event. She said it is best to register at the event now and not by mail. Registration forms for the event can be found at the Caps 4 Sam Web site, http://67.173.145.195/default.html.