9-year-old cancer patient asks for cards to celebrate 'last Christmas' earlySource: WLKY
Author: Samantha Brodsky
http://www.wlky.com/article/para-alpine-skier-overcomes-challenges-to-make-it-atop-the-mountain/13267536For most, Christmas comes the same time every year. But for 9-year-old Jacob Thompson, a cancer patient with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma, the festive day is arriving early — and it will be his last.
According to the GoFundMe page set up by Jacob's mother, the family admitted him to Barbara Bush Children's Hospital on October 11 with the understanding that he would pass away within a month.
Jacob has been fighting Neuroblastoma, cancer that forms in nerve cells early on, since he was diagnosed at age 5. It has spread to his head and hip, and treatment was deemed unsuccessful.
Since Jacob is bed-ridden and has limited time left with his loved ones, they are bringing Christmas to him next weekend.
On the big day, his room will transform into a winter wonderland — snow, sparkling tree and all (even Santa). But Jacob has one request: cards from anyone "inspired to reach out" to help bring the Christmas cheer.
He has already started receiving cards. The first, from his friend, pictured a decked-out penguin (his favorite animal). According to Jacob's mother, Michelle Thompson Simard, "live like a penguin," is a motto of his. She tells GoodHousekeeping.com, that in Jacob's words, this means "be friendly, stand by each other, go the extra mile, jump into life and be cool."
"Jacob loves the holiday season," Thompson Simard said, "and we want him to know that Christmas wishes come true and that there are good people who care all around the world."
Though it's coming early under unfortunate circumstances, we're wishing this sweet boy a Christmas full of love, laughter and lots of penguins.
If you're interested in sending in a card, address them to:
Jacob Thompson
C/O Maine Medical Center
22 Bramhall St
Portland, ME 04102
I made him a nice little wooden card, using the laser cutter, as well as a gift box to protect it in shipment, and a little extra something (pics below). If you can find it in your heart to drop him a card or a note in the mail, or even a prayer for Jacob and his family - anything is great. There is still time to get a card to him, even with relatively inexpensive USPS priority mail.
Pics below of front if card - the article said that Jacob really likes penguins, so I put some Penguin Knights on the front, underneath his name. On the back I cut out a Christmas tree out of walnut, and glued that to the maple which has an engraved "Merry Christmas" and some snowflakes. The little disc in the bottom of the gift box is a spacer that is there to make the card lie flat. I engraved a penguin shape on that as well. Did all this on the laser cutter, so it wasn't much work - maybe 3 or 4 hours mostly because of my unfamiliarity with the tools. The last pic shows the gift box all assembled. Ribbon was used to create hinges, and ribbon and some stick-on velcro to make a closure.
