Wake County Fire Services, Sheriff's Office and EMS have reached out beyond the county line to answer the Christmas wish of William Sidebottom, a 9-year-old boy from Asheboro with a failing heart.
Even as he faces 80 percent heart failure, William's Christmas wish is simple and sweet: A mailbox overflowing with greeting cards.
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Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, William had his first open-heart surgery when he was just 10 days old. At age 6, he finally got a heart transplant, but only three years later, his body has begun rejecting the new heart.
According to his mother, William's doctor says the boy is dying. He's not a candidate for a new heart transplant due to the high risk his body will reject it.
A Christmas wish for cards and kindness from strangers
William is facing the news bravely, saying he and his family will make it through this together – and if they don't, they are going to have as much fun as possible.
People across North Carolina have banded together to help make his wish come true. Students at Princeton Elementary School created handmade, heartfelt cards to the Asheboro family, and according to reports, the family's mailbox is overflowing with well-wishes and love.
To help make William's holiday as bright and cheerful as possible, send cards to:
William Sidebottom
1595 Nottingham St.
Asheboro, NC 27203