FISHERS, Ind. -- Until this week, Michele Graddy was known online to thousands of mothers in central Indiana simply as "Momof4inFishers."

But a sudden, dramatic turn in Graddy's life sparked a breathtaking flurry of support from her online community, 6News' Trisha Shepherd reported.

Read Trisha's Blog: Momof4inFishers

A group of women recently prayed together, candles lit, outside St. Vincent Hospital, and they had never met the woman they were praying for.

About 35,000 women are part of the community on the Indianapolis Momslikeme.com Web site, which is affiliated with the Indianapolis Star.

"She was just diagnosed with breast cancer less than a month ago. It spread into her lymph nodes," said Tim Graddy, Michele's husband.

Tim said a trip to the emergency room on Saturday revealed that Michele had six to eight brain tumors. Upon hearing that news, the Web site was immediately flooded with messages of support.

Graddy's friends even put together a meal program, house cleaning schedule and yard maintenance for her family.

Michele's sister, Teresa Harman, said she used to be skeptical about Michele's online friends, but not anymore.

"This is hard to even wrap your mind around. These are real people," Harman said. "These are true friends."

Dr. Ruemu Birhiray said the burgeoning emergence of online support communities often means his cancer patients get more support more quickly.

"What's not disputed in science is that the emotional uplift that you get relieves pain, makes you feel better, makes the quality of life better," Birhiray said.

Michele's loved ones said they saw her rally this week, and some of the virtual strangers who had become true friends were at the hospital with her until the very end.

"She passed just before midnight last night, just before her son's birthday," said Liz Chandler, a discussion leader on Momslikeme. "We can all put ourselves in her position and in her family's position, what it would mean if our families were losing us."

As the moms give support, they are also receiving inspiration.

"To see people coming together like that … it makes you know that there is such good in this world," said Tricia Kincaid, who also is a discussion leader on the site.

The support continues for Graddy's family, which must now find a way to go on without her.

"Thank you all so much. You've been incredible," Tim Graddy said.

Graddy's web friends also set up a benefit fund for the family. Contributions can be made through any Huntington Bank branch.