Boy with cancer asks for cards

LACONIA  - The story of sweet 9-year-old Jacob Thompson, the terminally ill boy who has taken over the hearts of thousands of people across the world, hit close to home for the entire team at the Irwin Automotive Group. His Aunt, Betty Ballantyne, has been a long-time member of the Irwin Automotive Group Team for over 25 years. Unfortunately, Jacob may not live to see this Christmas. He was diagnosed several years ago with Stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer.

His mother, Michelle Thompson Simard, wrote on Jacob’s GoFundMe page that Jacob has been admitted to the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, Maine, “for the last time.” She wrote earlier this month that “his father, Roger and myself have been told that we should be spending as much time as possible with him and we should start making arrangements for his passing.” She added: “It is expected Jacob may pass away within the month.”

Jacob has always loved Christmas and it has always been his favorite holiday. So, his one wish is for as many people as possible to reach out and to help him celebrate Christmas early this year by sending him their handmade holiday cards. To make this Christmas special, family, friends and complete strangers are bringing an early Christmas to this incredible young boy — decorating his hospital room with a tree, requesting a special visit from Santa Claus and showing him support with homemade holiday cards that are pouring in from people all over the world. As of  Nov. 9, Jacob had received over 66,000 cards and gifts.

Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital said in a statement Thursday that the response has been “wonderfully overwhelming.” However, the hospital said: “Out of concern for Jacob and all the patients at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, please refrain from personally delivering cards to the hospital. Instead, homemade cards can be mailed to Jacob, care of The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall St., Portland, Maine, 04102.

At the request of Jacob’s parents, the toys or gifts will be donated to the holiday gift pool for all patients at BBCH. In addition to the cards, Thompson said that Jacob would love to see people singing Christmas carols. To facilitate this, the family is asking those so inspired to shoot a video of them singing Christmas carols and post them on the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital Facebook page, where Jacob and his family will be able to view them.