Teen With Terminal Disease Wants Birthday Cards

Jake Priestley's family has set up a Facebook page for him. It's called "Adventures With Mighty Jake." And it's hard to argue with the sentiment. He's 14. May not make it to 15.

Jake has something mitochondrial disease. As a website developed to advocate for research puts it: "It causes debilitating physical, developmental, and cognitive disabilities with symptoms including poor growth; loss of muscle coordination; muscle weakness and pain; seizures; vision and/or hearing loss; gastrointestinal issues; learning disabilities; and organ failure.

"It's progressive and there is no cure."

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That is Jake's life.

His family recently posted on the Facebook page that he is on comfort care and they have two goals beyond that: to raise awareness of the disease and to make his upcoming birthday as special as possible.

Jake will hopefully turn 15 on August 28. His wish is to receive 100,000 birthday cards.

Some have already started to arrive.

"Since he is bed-bound he does not request anything for his bday," his family posted. "Except for cards. And so cards are what he wants and loves...so cards are what he is going to get!!"

To send a card:

Jacob Priestley

PO Box 855

Queen Creek, Az 85142

Photos via Priestley family