Former Young Men’s Social Club (YMSC) winger Mel Lewis has been diagnosed with leukaemia.The brother of ex-Bermuda Football Association executive Fred (Pinks) Lewis is currently being treated for the disease in a Boston hospital where he is making steady progress.“He is doing pretty good and has improved a lot,” Lewis said. “His immune system has built back up so now he can walk around normal again.”The former Bluebird was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year after injuring his thumb with a hammer.“He smashed his thumb and had to have an operation on it but it wouldn’t heal,” Lewis said. “So they (doctors) had to operate on him again.“His blood count was low so they kept giving him blood, but it kept disappearing so they eventually sent him away where he was diagnosed with leukaemia.“This has been a big strain on his family because it all happened so suddenly. ”Leukaemia is cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system.To encourage male members to undergo regular check ups by a doctor, YMSC have scheduled a men’s screening evening at their Angle Street clubhouse on November 14.“We want to let fellows know what types of tests they should be getting at certain ages so we are having doctors come to the club to give lectures on men’s health,” Lewis added.To help cover Lewis’ medical costs for treatment, YMSC have turned to long-time allies North Village Community Club (NVCC) for support.A benefit football match involving past and current players from both clubs will take place at Bernard Park on November 18. There are also plans in the pipeline to stage a golf tournament between the two clubs.“North Village and Social Club have always had a good relationship so we asked them would they take part and what the cause was for and they agreed,” Lewis said.NVCC president Shervin Dill added: “Our relationship with Social Club is a bond that has been around for many years and we share a lot of different entities. It’s a very strong bond that we are very proud of.”Three years ago Village and Social Club pooled their resources together to raise funds to help cover medical costs for former players Wendell Lindsay, Mel Bowen and Webster Mills.“That was very successful and we are always happy to assist former players or administrators who have become ill,” added Dill.For further details on the Mel Lewis benefit football match and golf tournament and YMSC men’s screening evening contact Fred Lewis at 336-9822 or Shervin Dill at 336-9813.