IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers HEARTFELT SPEECH—Moorpark resident Terrie Pflaumer describes her daughter Breanna's struggle with a malignant brain tumor at the Moorpark Relay for Life kickoff event last week. Moorpark cancer survivors, caregivers and volunteers who met at city hall last week were ready to grab the baton and run with their plans for their annual spring relay to fight the disease.

At the kickoff event on Jan. 27, leaders of the 2009 American Cancer Society Moorpark Relay for Life discussed strategies to generate public interest and promote sponsorships. Guest speakers shared inspirational stories of survival.

"The relay is meant to celebrate, remember and fight back against cancer because it takes too much from us," said chairperson Barbara Liley, addressing about 50 attendees.

A survivor of ovarian cancer, Liley wore a pair of bright red boxing gloves printed with a big yellow "POW" to make her point.

This year 's theme, "Moorpark Relay Gone Wild, 25 Years of Hope and Fighting Back," celebrates the silver anniversary of the Relay for Life, Liley said.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers COMMUNITY SUPPORT—Thomas Pflaumer, center, and the audience applaud Breanna Pflaumer, right, who is undergoing treatment for a malignant brain tumor, during the Moorpark Relay for Life kickoff event last week at city hall. Local businesses, organizations and individuals are invited to form groups and raise funds to support the research of the American Cancer Society and the aid the society gives to those diagnosed with cancer.

"We are looking for volunteers to help the committees and on the day of relay . . . and for more teams and sponsors," Liley said.

The fundraising efforts will culminate with a 24-hour walkathon on the Moorpark High School athletic field Sat. and Sun., April 25 and 26.

"Almost every family has been touched by cancer," said Mayor Janice Parvin. "Researchers need your help and they need money to cure the disease, but we're closer to finding cures every year because of the effort of relay participants." She said her husband, Dale, a cancer survivor, has never missed the opportunity to walk in the survivor's lap that launches the relay.

Michael Ohler, a member of the Knights of Columbus, Holy Cross Council that sponsors the Moorpark relay, attended the kickoff to celebrate the gift of life and do his part to help others.

Ohler survived leukemia, thanks to bone marrow he received from a 27-year-old Australian donor not related to him. Now the local resident said he hopes to meet the compassionate young man, if plans to fly him to California in April for the Moorpark relay come to pass.

The Pflaumer family also attended last week's event to celebrate a milestone and to share hope.

Breanna Pflaumer, 18, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor five years ago, but, in the face of odds that were hugely against survival, she and her parents didn't give up. Persistent research and quests for second opinions, along with the newest treatments and surgeries performed by acclaimed physicians, kept Breanna going.

"I fought cancer, I'm still fighting it and I'm going to beat it, and even when I don't have it anymore I'm still going to fight for other people," Breanna said. "I'm not going to stop until it's defeated."

Her father, Thomas Pflaumer, gleamed with pride. "She's not a dropout."

Now the family is rallying around others facing the same plight.

Fighting cancer is very difficult for both patients and caregivers, but it's an achievable goal when families come together to do what needs to be done, said Breanna's mom, Terri Pflaumer.

"Spread the word. We all have family, friends and coworkers who were diagnosed with this horrible disease, but stress to them that they should really get a second opinion. The more heads the better," said Breanna's mom. Her daughter is here today, she said, because the family sought a second opinion after being directed along the wrong path.

Terri Pflaumer, who is chairperson of the sponsorships for the 2009 Moorpark Relay for Life, said the economy may hinder corporate donations this year, but the gap can be filled with individual contributions.

"I hope that even if companies cannot donate, they will sign up a team of five to 10 people so those people can raise funds to help support the American Cancer Society," said Terri Pflaumer

Moorpark resident Jackie Youngern is the event's entertainment chairperson. In addition to raising funds, celebrating with survivors and honoring people who died from cancer, Youngern said, attendees at the 2009 relay will have the chance to take part in games and enjoy an evening filled with entertainment.

"We're going to have diverse music groups, including a flashback band, as well as karaoke and more," she said.

Youngern's daughter Nicole Lipka is co-chairing the Moorpark relay with Liley. She's been helping cancer patients for several years, often donating blood platelets for people undergoing chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants, she said.