Seven-year-old Vanessa Stauffer's smile and gentle, hopeful spirit is contagious.

To the average eye, Vanessa appears to be a vibrant, healthy and carefree child. It's only after speaking with her parents, Donald and Tracy Stauffer of Fogelsville, that one learns Vanessa suffers from a rare form of brain and spinal cancer called a primitive neuroectodermal tumor.

The Hokendauqua American Legion Post 739 held its fifth annual benefit breakfast for Vanessa Sunday. Proceeds will help the family with treatment costs and expenses associated with travel to and from hospital visits.

Donald said his connection to the Legion dates back to an automobile repair shop his father owned years ago in Whitehall. He fondly remembers many of the current Legion members as a young child growing up.

The story of the progression of Vanessa's disease is a long one. She first began suffering from constipation at an early age, stopped gaining weight and experienced issues with her gait, Donald said.

A trip to the doctor and subsequent MRI Sept. 18, 2007, confirmed a three-inch tumor located on Vanessa's spine. Three days later, Vanessa underwent surgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital.

"It [surgery] needed to happen," Donald said.

The 4-1/2-hour surgery was successful in removing 95 percent of the tumor. However, 5 percent remained intertwined with Vanessa's spine and could not be removed.

After that, Vanessa underwent chemotherapy treatments and three stem cell treatments at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Another MRI indicated the tumor was still growing.

The family attempted an at-home chemotherapy treatment regimen for the next 29 months. The treatments were effective until June 2011, when more tumor growth was discovered.

Donald said the family switched to a different chemotherapy drug and treatment. Since June 2011, Vanessa's condition has been stable.

Vanessa travels to and from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia once a month for an MRI and check up. Although there is no cure for Vanessa's cancer, her spirit and resilience have greatly impacted and inspired medical personnel.

"The doctors continue to be amazed who treat her," said Donald. "They didn't think she would make it past 2007. Fortunately, Vanessa keeps beating the odds."

Vanessa's current treatment requires 21 days of chemotherapy, with a seven-day break.

While Vanessa's disease has been difficult to deal with, family members have learned to embrace the simpler aspects of life such as spending quality time together.

"It never leaves your mind, it's always in the back of your mind," Donald said. "The little things don't bother us like most families. We really, truly try to enjoy every day."

Hokendauqua American Legion Post 739 member Sgt. E. Bernaski, a Northampton resident, said the Legion's commitment is both to Vanessa and the community.

"We do it because it's for the little girl," Bernaski said. "It's to help her out and to show the community we're there for them."

Also assisting with the breakfast fundraiser Sunday were the American Legion Riders of Hokendauqua Post 739 and the Sons of the American Legion.

The Stauffers are grateful for the support and encouragement they've received from Post 739.

"The amount of work the guys put into this is phenomenal and heart warming," Tracy said. "The words 'thank you' are not enough. It's very humbling to us that people spend so much time and energy to help us."

Donald's cousin, Debbie Daluisio of North Whitehall, also commended those who assisted with the breakfast.

"These are good people with good hearts," she said.

Vanessa's warm and optimistic spirit has made a lasting impression on those with whom she comes in contact, including her 9-year-old sister Kyra, who simply adores Vanessa.

"She means a lot to me," said Kyra. "She's kind and she's nice and she likes to laugh a lot."

Kyra said she loves to play games and play outdoors with Vanessa, who hopes to one day become an artist or art teacher.

Vanessa's rigorous chemotherapy treatments and daily struggles have not kept the Stauffers from living the motto "carpe diem."

"It's so important to us to get and do the things that are important to us," said Donald. "There's no guarantee there will be a tomorrow for anyone of us."