When Michigan resident Olivia Enderle turned 8 on Sunday, she didn’t think about the cancer she’s been battling since 2010. Instead, she opened up the more than 6,000 birthday cards sent to her from well-wishers around the world.
At just 1 year old, Olivia was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer in 2010 and has been battling the disease ever since, according to the Facebook group Fight of Olivia, which documents her progress as she undergoes treatment.
READ: What Military Families Sacrifice Summed Up in One Perfect Christmas Card
After Olivia had a kidney transplant last year, receiving the cards made her feel “loved,” her mother, Emily Enderle, told WPIV.
The family posted to Facebook two weeks before Olivia’s birthday that their goal was for her to receive mere 100 birthday cards. Thousands of cards later, it’s safe to say that the generosity of Good Samaritans more than surpassed that goal.
Several of the cards Olivia received were hand-made, and Olivia’s favorites so far have been a fuzzy one that makes “silly noises” and one with a cat that meows when opened, her mother said.
The local post office made a special birthday deliver to Olivia with all the cards, and local firefighters gave her a ride on the fire truck for an extra birthday surprise, Enderle said.
Enderle said Olivia is doing well and continues to bask in happiness are the cards trickle in.
“We would love to say thank you to everyone for reaching out and bringing some happiness and excitement to Olivia,” she said. “It has been her best birthday yet.”
(H/T: WPVI)
Other Must-Read Stories:
—Cancer-Stricken 9-Year-Old Wants You to Send Her a Christmas Card — Will You?
—Terminally Ill Teen Asks for 10,000 Birthday Cards to ‘Feel Better’ – NYPD Steps Up Big Time
—URGENT PRAYERS: 5-Year-Old Heart Transplant Recipient on Life-Support
—Humility: Rude Starbucks Customer Comes Back the Next Day With Sweet Apology Note… and More