Friends and family members combined efforts July 17 at St. Philip Parish in Falls Church to raise close to $2,000 from a bake sale to help defray medical costs incurred during Susan Torres’ hospitalization.

Torres is the 26-year-old woman who was 17 weeks pregnant on Mother’s Day weekend when she suffered a massive brain hemorrhage brought on by undiagnosed melanoma. Doctors give her no hope of survival but are fighting to keep her unborn child alive. Friends of the Torres family established the Susan M. Torres Fund to help defray the enormous medical bills that the family now faces.

Parishioner Yvette Purtill, who organized Sunday’s bake sale, said the Wal-Mart Corporation will match the bake sale proceeds. "There wasn’t a crumb left," said Purtill, who has known the Torres family since her college days at the University of Dallas. Purtill said she received "an overwhelming response" of donated baked goods from parishioners.

The Torres baby is now 25-weeks-old, said Justin Torres, Susan’s brother-in-law and family spokesman. Doctors are hopeful that the child will make it to 32 weeks before he is delivered, Justin said. Sept. 10 appears to be the target date.

The Torres family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and generosity from across the world, said Justin. "We were completely naïve about the power of the story," said Justin. More than $400,000 has been received and checks are still being counted. Donors have included a U.S. soldier in Iraq, a man from Beflast, Northern Ireland, and Japan.

The Torres story has attracted an international audience since it first appeared in the May 26 edition of the Arlington Catholic HERALD. Family members have been quoted in hundreds of media outlets, including CNN’s "Larry King Live," USA Today, the Associated Press and Catholic News Service. Local television crews from NewsChannel 8 and Channel 9 were at St. Philip Church on Sunday.

Father Paul Scalia, parochial vicar at St. Rita Parish in Alexandria, and Father Jerry Wooton, now parochial vicar at St. Michael Parish in Annandale, have been supportive of the family since the tragedy unfolded.

Another benefit activity will take place on Saturday, July 30. "Swish for Susan," a benefit basketball game, will start at 7 p.m. at Osbourn Park High School in Manassas. The game will feature the Seton School Alumni All Stars vs. the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Susan’s husband, Jason, is a 1997 graduate of Seton School in Manassas. The game is open to the public and will feature a raffle, contests and additional entertainment.

Tax-deductible contributions to the fund can be made directly at: The Susan M. Torres Fund, c/o Faith and Action, P.O. Box 34105, Washington, D.C. 20043-0105 or visit www.susantorresfund.org.