SANTA CLARITA / ANTELOPE VALLEY : Looking for a Miracle : Fund Launched in Name of Boy Who Has Brain Cancer

Eight-year-old Michael Hoefflin found himself the center of attention Tuesday as a cancer fund and support group was launched in his name, but he didn’t seem concerned about his condition or impressed with the adults fussing about it.

The Canyon Country boy has had an unusual form of brain cancer for the past two years, and his chances of living much longer are uncertain, at best. But he merely squirmed restlessly on his father’s lap during an interview on a local radio station in which the fund was announced, more interested in returning to a computer game in the station’s office.

Chris Hoefflin said his son has been acting like any other 8-year-old because he is just beginning to feel symptoms of the disease, believed to be in the advanced stages. The elder Hoefflin said he co-founded the Michael Hoefflin Chapter of The Neil Bogart Memorial Fund with the hope of providing his son and other Santa Clarita cancer, leukemia and AIDS patients with needed care and support.

“Michael needs a miracle at this point,” he said.

The local chapter will raise funds for researchers at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and act as a support group for Santa Clarita families, Chris Hoefflin said. The Neil Bogart fund, named after a record company president who died of lymphoma in 1983, provides assistance to 114 hospitals nationwide.

The fund was launched with a $4,990.33 check from Taekwondo USA, where Michael enrolled as a student several weeks ago. Studio owner Ken Lewis said the money is the surplus from a $12,900 memorial fund for Veronica Estrada, a children’s instructor at the studio who was strangled in December. Another instructor is on trial on a murder charge in the death.

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“We’ve really dedicated our lives to the well-being of children and we think this is a great way to do that,” Lewis told KBET-AM radio broadcaster Kate Hayes.

Donations may be made to The Michael Hoefflin Chapter, c/o KBET radio, 27565 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita, CA 91351. For more information call (805) 250-4100.