The support for Lori Mello already exhibited in Bermuda is now flowing in from other countries too, as the 24-year-old continues to fight cancer at a Boston hospital.

John Moreira who lives in Canada was ready to help almost immediately after he read Lori's story.

This month he'll come to the Island and host a goalkeeper clinic for young players.

The proceeds of that event will go towards Lori Mello's medical costs or to a foundation soon to be created in her honour.

"I read The Gazette everyday online and it hit me" said Mr. Moreira.

The one-time semi-professional footballer was born in Bermuda, but lives now in Ontario with his wife and three kids.

His eldest son Brandon was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour behind his knee last January.

The once athletic 15-year-old is relegated now to crutches nearly full time as he continues aggressive chemotherapy treatment almost a year after it began.

Mr. Moreira believes his family understands the struggle against cancer like few others can.

"We can relate to Lori's family. First the emotional shock that we've taken. Then the financial shock," he said.

"For those who have never had this happen it will be difficult to relate to the feelings this family is experiencing."

The one-day $80 clinic's main draw comes in the form of Craig Forrest who helped Canada win the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup and played in England for both Ipswich and West Ham United.

The former goalkeeper is now a sports television analyst in Canada and will next year be inducted to the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame.

Mr. Moreira told The Royal Gazette>Mr. Forrest has agreed to participate in the event and help the cause for Lori Mello, who is being treated at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The collective effort to support Lori has completely overwhelmed her friends and family.

And according to them it's not only the donations, but the well wishes and prayers as well.

Judi Truszkowski is one example. The 51-year-old from Chadd's Ford, Pennsylvania says in an e-mail that Lori is on her mind everyday now.

"It really touched my heart as I have been dealing with non-Hodgkins lymphoma for nine years.

"Please relay the message to her that there is a lot of support for her and we will keep her in our prayers and thoughts daily."

James Queeny, 55, in Boston, dropped a line to offer logistical support to Lori's family should they need it.

"Bermudians have many, many friends in the Boston area," he said. "And we will do whatever possible to help Lori and her family during these times. I hope you will contact me if I can be of help."

The people closest to Lori have been flooded with hundreds of messages and phone calls just like it. The focus of their mission though is fundraising.

No one can say for certain how much has been raised so far, or what the final tally will be.

But they've already raised more than was expected — enough to cover the non-insured portions of Lori's scheduled medical procedures.

However, she may need more treatment if the current plan of attack isn't successful.

Plus there's a commitment now to create and fund a charitable foundation to financially help other Bermudian families stricken with cancer in the years to come.

"Once Lori's finished her battle, we can raise money for other people going through cancer," said best friend Kara Mederios.

That's why efforts like the one from Mr. Moreira will be critical even though it's completely independent of the Mello family.

"I looked at the cost of the treatment and it just blew me away," said the devoted father of his own family's medical expenses.

Even with the assistance of Canada's medicare programme, things have been tough.

His wife had to take a leave of absence from work in order to be at her son's bedside inside The Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto.

Mr. Moreira stays at home, about 90 minutes outside Toronto, with the couple's two other sons.

As you might expect, Brandon was a standout football player like his father.

His team won the Canadian Nationals Trophy, a competition that pits the best young players against one another.

Now unfortunately, Brandon's playing days are over.

"He'll never be able to run again," said the boy's father. "Not being able to play soccer hit him hard."

But like Lori, Brandon is committed to winning his bout with cancer and Brandon's father is committed to helping both of them.

[box] The Goalkeeper Academy Clinic is hosted by the Bermuda Athletic Association and will be held on January 28, for kids in the under-11 category to the under-18 category. For more information call 332-5882.