MORE THAN PINK RIBBON SUPPORT-Friends Deborah Wollum and Jennifer Clark will walk nearly 40 miles over two days to raise money for breast cancer research. Clark is the widow of Michael Clark, the first Simi Valley police officer killed in the line of duty, and is a cancer survivor. The past decade has been beset with tragedy for Simi Valley resident Jennifer Clark.

In 1995, Clark's husband, Michael Clark, became the first Simi Valley police officer to be killed in the line of the duty. The funeral for the slain officer was one of the largest in California's history, with 5,000 people in attendance.

Four years later, Clark's mother passed away. The following year, tragedy struck again when Clark's brother-in-law committed suicide after attempting to kill her sister.

Clark was once again the victim of heartache on Sept. 20, 2004, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She survived the illness, and in an effort to lend support to others suffering with the disease, she's decided to take to the streets this year.

She will participate in this month's Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, which raises money through pledges for walkers.

Jana Leth, Clark's sister, said her sibling is dedicated to using her life experiences as inspiration to try to help others.

"Jennifer derives her strength from her family and community, both of which have given her so much. She wants to triumph over tragedy and make things better for others," Leth said.

As part of the Avon fundraiser, Clark will walk 39.3 miles through Los Angeles from Sept. 16 to 17. During the two days, walkers camp out and use portable toilets.

"I'm in pretty good shape," said Clark, when asked how physically prepared she was for the test of endurance. "I eat right and take good care of myself so I'm confident that I'll finish the walk. The only thing that would stop me is the heat."

Clark will be joined in the walk by a friend, local chiropractor Deborah Wollum. With the help of Leth, the duo has already raised $4,500 through a number of sponsorships.

A group of local businesses, including City Printing, Cakes By You, Cuneo Air, T. Binder Electric, State Farm Insurance and 123 Ink Jet, have all made donations of $500. The Simi Valley Police Of

ficers Association and the Simi Valley Noontime Rotary Club have also made charitable donations in Clark's name.

Individuals interested in supporting Clark and Wollum are encouraged to make a $25 donation. Checks, made payable to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, can be dropped off on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays at Wollum's office at 1720 E. Los Angeles Ave., Ste. 1, in Simi Valley.

Online donations can be made at walk.avonfoundation.org.

"We're also creating shirts so that we can publicly thank everyone and so that people can have something that shows they participated in and supported the event," Leth said.

Wollum, Clark and Leth paid $1,600 out of pocket to print 144 T-shirts. They're donating 100 percent of the proceeds to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer fund.

Clark and Wollum will participate in training walks between 8 and 9:30 a.m. on the Tuesdays and Thursdays preceding the race. The Tuesday practices will take place at Rancho Tapo Community Park and the Thursday practices will take place at Rancho Madera Community Park.

Despite all the tragedy she's faced in the last decade, Clark said she's happy to still be in Simi.

"When my husband was killed, the community in Simi was really good to me. It made me feel like this is really my home," said Clark, who like her late husband, is a graduate of Westlake High School. "I have thought of leaving and moving to Florida or Arizona, but you want to stay where your roots, and this where my friends are."

Leth said her sister is a shining example of why people should never give up on life, even when times get particularly hard.

"A lot of people go through a tragic event and are left asking, 'Why me?' That hasn't happened to my sister. Instead she's out there trying to make things better and inspire other people," Leth said.

Clark said her only regret is not doing something earlier for cancer sufferers. "The sad thing is I waited until I got cancer to go out there and do something," Clark said.

For more information about donating to Clark's and Wollum's walk, call (805) 520-2780.