Terminally Ill Pa. Teen Asking For Christmas Cards From Around The World
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A terminally ill teenager from Pennsylvania is asking for some holiday cheer for Christmas.
Maddox Hyde, 14, is an 8th grade student at DuBois Area Middle School.
He has been receiving treatment for neuroblastoma at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. He's been battling it for eight years.
Sadly, he's been told he only has a few weeks to live.
Now, he's simply asking to receive Christmas cards from around the world.
Cards can be sent to the following address:
Maddox Hyde
333 Ohio Street
Reynoldsville, PA 15851
Over the last few days, he's gotten so many, they've started stringing them from the ceiling at his home. Cards from churches, schools, all over the country and even from Mexico.
"It makes me feel happy to see how many people actually care," said Maddox over a FaceTime call on Thursday night.
The cards actually started with a friend.
"There was talk that he wasn't gonna make it to Christmas, so let's flood his box with Christmas cards," said Kristi Potter, Maddox's mom. "I believe it was one of my friends who started it, and from there, it's just grown."
Through the cards, Maddox says he's learning just how many people do care, and his family taking every opportunity to say, 'I love you!'"
"You make sure you get the hug and kiss before bed, the hug and kiss before you leave, always 'I love yous,'" said Potter.
Meanwhile, Maddox - who loves video games - will be taking part in a gaming marathon on Saturday, Dec. 1, called "Extra Life." It will help other children getting treatment at Children's Hospital. If you would like to donate, visit this link.
And, finally, Maddox has some advice for other kids facing similar battles.
"I stayed strong, I stayed positive," he said. "Keep a positive mind and have all the family and friends around you to care."