By Katie Malone
After four years of battling stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma, doctors told Jacob Thompson’s parents that their son only had about a month to live in early October of this year. Looking to give Jacob one last Christmas celebration, his family began a campaign to gather cards to give to the 9-year-old Maine resident to celebrate the holiday he loved. Thompson received over 30,000 cards in just a few days — and his story soon went viral with support from many celebrities and communities from across the globe.
Sadly, the family shared the news that Jacob had died on Sunday with statement via Facebook.
“We hope that Jacob’s story and the enormous outpouring of support from around the world will have a lasting impact on raising awareness for this disease,” said Thompson’s parents. “We hope that donations will be made, and a cure will be discovered as a result.”
Michelle Simmard, Thompson’s mother, set up a GoFundMe to help cover her son’s funeral costs. They are $15,000 from their goal.
In Thompson’s final days, he received a visit from the University of Maine men’s hockey team and his family adopted a penguin, his favorite animal, on his behalf.
The Thompson family has recommended that “to make a donation in Jacob’s honor, please do so at Operation Gratitude, to a penguin rescue group, or pay it forward in your community.”
(Photo Credits: Cover)