Earlier this year, 8-year-old Drake Quibodeaux of Vinton was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. When asked what he wanted for Christmas, he made a simple request for Christmas cards. Now, the nation has responded to the 8-year-old, and his mother, Danielle, said the incoming show of support has been overwhelming.
“We counted what we’ve already opened and it was at 34,000. We have lots more to open and I just got word that we’ve got 19 crates on the way from the mail,” said Drake’s mother.
She says only 5% of children diagnosed with his condition survive to a year and 1% to two years. Drake just recently surpassed nine months since his diagnosis.
The mother says many of the Christmas cards are coming from recognizable names.
“Tim McGraw sent him one, the President of the United States, we’ve gotten lots of bull riders. Parish County Line is a band and they’ve sent him some stuff,” said Quibodeaux.
Quibodeaux said many of the cards contain money to help with medical expenses.
“They send $5 here, or $5 there, in each of the cards and we’re putting it up for all of the medical bills. We did allow him to by a side-by-side (ATV) with some of the money because that’s one of the things that he wanted and while he’s still able to drive it, we were like “Okay, we’ll do that,'” said Quibodeaux.
Drake Quibodeaux and his family will also be attending the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona and plan on visiting Disney World soon.
