Terminally Ill Maine Boy Behind Viral Christmas Card Wish Dies from Cancer

A terminally ill 9-year-old from Maine has died from cancer a week after his wish for an early Christmas celebration was successfully fulfilled.

Jacob Thompson went viral after asking thousands of people around the globe to send him holiday cards.

Thompson's family announced on social media that he died Sunday at Maine Medical Center in Portland. His family thanked everyone who sent the boy Christmas cards and prayers, claiming that they brought joy and encouragement to the entire family.

"It's just amazing that one little boy has touched lives from all around the world," Michelle Simard, Jacob's mother, told NECN.

At one point, Jacob received more than 10,000 pieces of mail in a day, according to a Maine Medical Center spokesperson.

The boy was admitted to the hospital in October following four years of battling neuroblastoma, a cancer that starts in the nerve cells and generally affects infants and young children.

Jacob loved Christmas and found joy in the simplicity of Christmas cards. Knowing that his time was short, his family held a Christmas celebration at the hospital at the beginning of November complete with a tree, gifts, and even a visit from Santa.

Jacob also loved penguins. So much so, that his family is urging people to donate to Operation Gratitude, "to a penguin rescue group, or pay it forward in your community," including blood and platelets donations.

The Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut also helped with a Christmas surprise by allowing Jacob to hold a real penguin, NBC News reports.

"You brought Jacob joy, and you brought us all optimism for the future. Thank you for taking the time, and taking an interest in our sweet boy's journey. Sadly, there are many others like him that we hope you will continue to help," the family wrote Monday on Facebook.

"Each and every person who sent Jacob a Christmas card, a gift, a Facebook message or video, or a prayer made a difference in the final days of his life.”


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