Community Corner

Across the Miles: Dying Boy Looking to Fulfill One Last Christmas Wish

Attention emergency services workers: a boy in Virginia wants to hear from you.

Updated 7:05 a.m. Wednesday: Nathan's mom is reporting that the family is becoming overwhelmed with the amount of letters and cards coming to their home and is asking well-wishers to visit Nathan's CaringBridge site or Facebook page to leave greetings. 

It seems that every holiday season, a story comes along that can change the way we look at life. This year is no different. 

Earlier this month, one of our Patch sites in —a boy with terminal cancer and who is reaching out to policemen, firemen and all emergency service workers everywhere to fulfill his final Christmas wish.

Find out what's happening in Oswegowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

READ: A CHRISTMAS WISH FOR A DYING BOY

Like many boys his age, Nathan has a deep interest in watching the heroes that make up local police, fire and emergency crews do their work. He was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was just 3 years old. Much of his tumor was removed during an operation, but another tumor has surfaced on his spinal cord. This tumor can not be removed, according to Nathan's doctors. Those doctors have given the boy just 18 months to live.

Find out what's happening in Oswegowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For what could be Nathan's final Christmas, he is asking emergency workers from all over to send him cards, letters, and police and fire badges. So far, emergency agencies from across Virginia have flooded Nathan's mailbox. 

We here at the Chicago-area Patches thought it might be a great idea to take Nathan's wish and turn up the volume. Reaching out across the miles, we can show our local support. 

Do you know a emergency service worker who could reach out to Nathan? If so, donations may be sent to:

Nathan Norman
81 Dunivan Drive
Rustburg, VA 24588


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