By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
The plight of a 9-year-old-boy from Maine dying of cancer caught the attention of Cranbury officials, who this week sought to send holiday greetings to a child nearing the end of his life.
Township Committeeman James Taylor, speaking at the Township Committee meeting Monday, shared how he had learned of Jacob Thompson’s story by reading a newspaper article a few weeks ago. Jacob’s illness — a form of cancer known as neuroblastoma that he was diagnosed with in 2014 — is such that he will not live until Christmas, Taylor said.
Taylor said the boy’s family had decided to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas early, with Jacob’s wish to have Christmas cards sent to him from across the country.
“So when I saw this, as a parent, I thought we really are blessed when we have healthy children,” Taylor said, “and maybe it would be a nice thing at Thanksgiving time to do this resolution so that we can send it up to him (to) let him know the town of Cranbury … was thinking of him and his family at this time.”
Mayor David Cook read the entire resolution in which the town commended Jacob for showing “his courage and fortitude throughout his illness.” The town plans to send him a copy of the resolution extending the town’s “warm wishes” for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Cook said.
Jacob’s family has said on Facebook that cards can be mailed to Jacob at the Maine Medical Center, located at 22 Bramhall St., in Portland, Maine, 04102.
