CAMERON, Mo. — Activist Erin Brockovich will speak later this month to residents worried about a cluster of brain tumors that has appeared in their area.

Ms. Brockovich — who became well-known through a Julia Roberts movie for her efforts at fighting a California utility — will speak at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at Goodrich Auditorium, 423 N. Chestnut St. in Cameron.

Bill Kemper, whose late wife was one of the city’s brain tumor victims, said arrangements for the appearance were confirmed Monday.

“I don’t know what she’s going to do or what she’s going to say,” Mr. Kemper told the News-Press Tuesday night.

The event will be open to the public, and a large crowd is expected, he said.

No answers have surfaced to pinpoint a cause for numerous brain tumors in the area. But representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently collected samples of tap water from Cameron residents. The samples were sent to labs in Kansas City and Alabama for analysis, with results expected shortly.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services will hold a meeting Oct. 9 at the United Methodist Church, 201 N. Pine St., to discuss the tumors and various tests with residents. Meanwhile, a support group of tumor victims’ families will hold an organizational meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church, 202 E. Ford St.

Up to 68 individuals with ties to the Cameron area have reported tumors. Soil and water tests taken from the city’s drinking water supply and the site of the former Rockwool Industries insulation plant didn’t reveal any health threats linked to the tumors. Six residents have filed lawsuits against companies linked to Rockwool.

Ray Scherer can be reached at rscherer@npgco.com.