Update: Jacob’s parents revealed on the family’s Facebook page that their son died “peacefully” on 19 November, following his four-year battle with cancer.
They wrote: “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.”
Jacob Thompson, a 9-year-old boy with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma, loves the holiday season. But doctors have told him he may not live long enough to celebrate Christmas this year.
On 11 October, he was admitted to Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, Maine, for the “last time,” his parents wrote on a GoFundMe page created to help cover the costs of his funeral.
So Jacob has one wish for anyone “inspired to reach out”: help him celebrate Christmas early this year by sending him handmade holiday cards.
“Jacob loves the holiday season,” Michelle Thompson Simard told GoodHousekeeping.com. “And we want him to know that Christmas wishes come true and that there are good people who care all around the world.”
Simard wrote on Facebook that her son has already started receiving cards from some friends, family and community members.
The cancer, which has spread to various parts of his body, including his head and his hip, has left Jacob bedridden. So this weekend his family and friends are planning to decorate his hospital room like a winter wonderland, complete with snowflakes, a tree and even a visit from Santa Claus.
People have also begun sharing videos of themselves singing Christmas carols on the hospital’s Facebook page to help spread a little extra cheer.
Thousands on social media, including actors Anna Kendrick and Rob Lowe, have started spreading the message about Jacob’s wish.
Those interested in participating can send cards to:
Jacob Thompson
C/O Maine Medical Center
22 Bramhall St
Portland, ME 04102
This article originally appeared on the US edition of HuffPost.