Massachusetts boy battling cancer wants one thing -- birthday cards

FOXBOROUGH, MA (KABC) -- A 5-year-old boy with an inoperable brain tumor has one wish for his birthday: a box full of birthday cards with his name on them.

Danny Nickerson of Foxborough, Massachusetts, was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) -- one of the most chemotherapy-resistant cancers -- in October of last year. He has stopped going to kindergarten during therapy, and gets lonely, according to his family.

Doctors tell Danny's mom, Carley Nickerson, that less than 10 percent of the children diagnosed with this type of cancer live longer than 18 months.

"I don't really believe in that. He is doing great," Nickerson said. "Every day is a blessing for us."

Danny turns 6 years old on July 25, and there's one thing at the top of his list - a card from you! Nickerson says personalized cards make Danny happy, and has opened a P.O. box to collect letters from well-wishers.

"He can recognize his name now," Nickerson told ABC News. "When he saw his name on the package from magical fairies on Easter, he was so happy."

Nickerson wanted to keep that joy going. Back on July 1, she posted this message on a Facebook page on which they update Danny's battle with cancer.

"Danny turns 6 in 24 days. He loves receiving mail and he's always checking the mail box for mail with his name on it. How many birthday cards can we get before his birthday? And give him a month of tons of mail! He will love it! Then on his birthday I will post a picture of all the cards together!"

Danny has received over 1,000 cards so far.

You can help make this a special birthday for this special family by sending a card to:

Danny Nickerson

P.O. Box 212

Foxborough, MA 02035

Happy birthday, Danny!