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There was no way the outpouring of support for Brandon Clark would stay quiet for long.

Two days ago, friends at Lake View High School began collecting money for Clark, tennis coach and speech teacher, who recently was diagnosed with terminal cancer. They wanted to help him fulfill the dream of taking his family to Disney World.

By Friday, news had spread across town through e-mails and word of mouth, and donations for the man who has battled cancer for years began pouring in.

"We called it the Disney Express," said Lake View teacher Laura Elms. "Now it's more like a freight train. It's unbelievable. It's all over the state now. Tennis coaches from around the state are donating. It's amazing."

The speed and magnitude of support has overwhelmed many who know Clark.

Clark is married and has three young children, and he could not be reached for this story.

Max Parker, a school board member and local attorney, said he sent out an e-mail at 9:45 a.m. Friday to a list of maybe 100 people. He said he got 15 replies by noon. It wasn't until an office worker said they needed a new secretary for all the phone calls that he saw the full magnitude of the responses.

On Friday alone, more than 170 checks had been delivered to his office totaling more than $33,750. Parker said several people have sent in money that is expected to arrive Monday.

Those who know Clark know he is an "exceptional young man who has had tremendous courage to fight this cancer," Parker said.

"What has been overwhelming is, the majority of the people don't know him and want to help," Parker said. "They are caring people in this community that are touched by a young man fighting cancer, and his family and young children, and want to help give them a few more good memories of their dad."

After Clark was diagnosed as having stomach cancer in February 2006, surgeons at Houston's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center removed a large part of his stomach and esophagus. Two weeks later, they took out one of his kidneys.

Clark is a former lineman on the Angelo State University football team who was a multi-sport standout at Happy High School.

Superintendent Carol Ann Bonds said she has gotten to know Clark well during her two years here. Clark's compassion for other people is "amazing," she said.

"He is such a giving person," she said. "He has brought so much joy to people all over the city."

Elms, the Lake View teacher, said Clark's nickname is "Happy." The outpouring of support is "typical San Angelo" that happens in times of need, she said.

"That speaks volumes," Elms said. "He is such an awesome person. He is a life-embracing person, and people respond to that."

To help

• Make checks payable to the Brandon Clark Medical Fund and take to Lake View High School or Bank of America at 337 W. Twohig Ave. Checks also can go to "Brandon Clark Fund" and be sent in care of Max Parker, P.O. Box 1271, San Angelo, TX 76902, or dropped of at the attorney's office at 314 W. Harris Ave. Or call at (325) 653-6866.

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Money pours in for terminal coach