Brighten Your Day

9-Year-Old With Cancer Wants Christmas Cards For His Last Christmas

November 4, 2017

Jacob / Credit: Michelle Thompson Simard

9-year-old Jacob Thompson was diagnosed with Stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma in February 2014 when he was just 5 years old.

A few weeks ago, doctors delivered unfortunate news to the Thompson family: Jacob won't be leaving the hospital and he only has about a month to live.

Since Jacob loves Christmas, his family decided to "fast-forward" Christmas to give Jacob one last celebration. His room will be decorated with a tree and lights, fake snow and, of course, Santa Claus will be there. Like any 9-year-old boy, he wants presents and cards from his family and friends.

But he also would love cards from anyone who feels inspired to reach out.

"He got some cards from this Halloween, and he opened up and saw them and it was like getting a gift. He read it to us and had a big smile his face and his nose scrunched," Jacob's father, Roger Guay, told CNN. "He was excited to see what people had to say and it just brightened his day."

Only five days after he announced his wish, he has already received more than 100 cards from people all over the world.

"We have some from the Netherlands, from Australia, from Denmark," said his stepmother, Tara Artinyan. "We've even heard from Antarctica."

If you are interested in sending Jacob a Christmas Card, please send them here:

Jacob Thompson
C/O Maine Medical Center
22 Bramhall Street
Portland, ME 04102

(He loves penguins and Star Wars)