My inbox overflowed this week with responses to last Saturday's column about the relationship between a boy from Watts and a group of Los Angeles Police Department officers who have embraced his family.

More than 100 readers wrote to praise young Micah Blackwell's efforts to succeed in school and steer clear of trouble. His mother, Belinda Cannon, has relied on police officers for help raising Micah, 13, and his 5-year-old brother, Joshua, ever since Micah struck up a friendship with LAPD Sgt. Ralph Morales four years ago.

Now "Ms. Belinda," as the officers call her, is hospitalized at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center with breast cancer that has metastasized to her bones. The prognosis is not good, her doctors say. The boys are being cared for by a Leimert Park couple Cannon met in church six months ago.

The gravity of the situation hasn't sunk in yet for Micah, said Morales, whose office has been inundated with offers of help.

"I'm amazed. As police officers, we get used to seeing the worst of life," Morales said. "To see people coming forward like this . . . that's inspiring to us."

I am not amazed. As a reporter for almost 30 years, I have witnessed, again and again, the boundless compassion of Times readers, who, this time, offered money, outings, even a home for Micah and his brother if Ms. Belinda - who adopted them as infants from foster care - doesn't make it home.

As a reporter, I recognize that personal tales of struggle and need provide an outlet for readers' innate generosity. For me, it's always a little uncomfortable - this passing-the-hat process that occurs when I share a story of tragedy - but it's not my role to tamp down that impulse.

The LAPD's community relations section is setting up a fund for donations at the Frederick K.C. Price Christian school, which Micah has attended for the last two years thanks to fundraising by officers. Information is available from Kelly Stamps in the school's finance office, (323) 789-3885, or from LAPD Lt. Fred Booker, whose e-mail address is [email protected].

I also recognize that our city is full of children in need. And what Micah wants most is something we can't give. When I asked him last week what he appreciated most about his mother, his answer broke my heart with its simplicity.

"She keeps me safe; she gives me a comfortable place to sleep," he said. "And she lets me talk as much as I want, about anything."