Lesley Compagnon and Ian Stanley, the parents of nearly 10-month-old Eli, are preparing for the 4th Annual Walk for Grace in support of pediatric brain tumor research at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

The walk is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 7 at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.

It is named for Grace Compagnon Stanley, Lesley and Ian's first child. Grace was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in October 2005 at 20 months of age. She endured more than a dozen surgeries, three on her brain, along with eight months of chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant. Despite the efforts of pediatric specialists, Grace died on Sept. 6, 2006.

"I miss her as much today as the day she died. We look forward to raising as much money as we can," said Lesley, who was seven months pregnant with Eli at the time of last year's walk.

The 2007 edition of the event raised more than $27,000 and had more than 120 participants. The goal had been $10,000-$15,000. The event raised $6,000 and $10,000 in the first two years.

A first annual golf tourney was held in Grace's name this past May in Guelph raising $16,810 for the cause.

The layout is similar to that of last year with three trails available to walk or run. A 31-kilometre trail (one kilometre for every month of Grace's life), will begin at 8:30 a.m., a 1K trail walk begins at 1 p.m. and a 5K adult trail walk goes at 1:45 p.m.

Children's activities at Bronte Creek park that day will be hosted by Crafty Corner from 1:15-3:15 p.m. A Harvey's barbecue sponsored by Deloitte Professional Services will run from noon-4 p.m. This year, a bake table has been added running from noon-4 p.m.

All 31K walkers/runners are being asked to pre-register via e-mail by contacting Lesley Compagnon at lcompagnon@cogeco.ca, or register the day of the event at Bronte Provincial Park, Breckon Picnic Shelter (parking area F) between 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

The minimum cost to participate in the walk is $10; that covers the registration fee and lunch. Pledges are also encouraged. The $13 per vehicle park entrance fee is waived when a walk/run pledge form is presented to the park attendant.

Pledge forms can be downloaded from Grace's website at www.gracestanley.org. You can also get more information about Grace's story from the website.