5-year-old wants Christmas cards

Tuesday, November 24, 2009
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alt — Making Christmas cards to send Noah Biorkman, who has neuroblastoma, over the weekend are, from left, Bailey Argroves, Jazmine Watts and Marshall Bass.

From STAFF REPORTS news@newnan.com Noah Scott Biorkman lives in Michigan, but his Christmas wish has made it to Coweta County -- and around the world. Thanks to the connections created by the Internet, the wish of the cherubic 5-year-old who has neuroblastoma have touched hearts in the local area and led several Cowetans to launch efforts to get Noah what he wants -- Christmas cards. "This 5-year-old boy is in his last stages of cancer after a two and a half year battle. All he asks for Christmas is Christmas cards," noted Grantville resident Ann Long.

Biorkman and his family are celebrating Christmas early this year because of his health. According to a Web site maintained by his family, he was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma in February 2007. He went into remission in August 2007. Then in September of this year, he suffered a relapse with lesions in his right arm and right leg. Despite six different treatments, his cancer continues to spread. Neuroblastoma can cause tumors in many parts of the body and is most common in young children. "Noah is an angel, and we are blessed to have him in our lives," his mother, Diana, wrote on the Web site. Long was touched by the story about the little boy with cancer. She has spread the word via e-mail to friends in lots of places. She also has gotten several Grantville friends inspired to send cards to Noah. Long said her grandchildren are sending cards and that Noah's story and request had been shared at First United Methodist Church of Grantville. Long said one friend, Barbara Tucker, "is sending one per day." Long said she also understood a first grade class at Glanton Elementary School in Grantville would making cards to send. Jill Horton, who lives near Haralson, also heard about the story and got the children at Mt. Zion Baptist Church near Alvaton to make cards on Sunday. Horton said she was "saddened to hear" about Noah's prognosis but glad the children could do something to make an early Christmas happen for him. "That is so sad," said Newnan resident Michelle Foster, who -- along with her daughter Mandy, a fifth grader at Poplar Road Elementary School -- has made cards to send to Noah. Noah lives with his mother in South Lyon, Mich. Initially, cards were sent to their home. On the Web site last week, Diana Biorkman wrote, "We received 80,000 pieces of mail on Monday alone. We even received mail today on Veteran's Day. ... My garage is so full that we asking for everyone to please send all communications to Noah's father's house." [Address removed- See update below.] In an interview with MLive.com, a Web site sponsored by several Michigan newspapers, Noah expressed a special liking for cards with angels on them. "I'm going to heaven," he told a reporter. "I'm going to be an angel." Long said she hopes the word about Noah's Christmas wish will continue to spread. "See how many cards we can help get to him from all over the world -- and make his wish come true." [Update, Tuesday, 11:40 AM: Noah Biorkman's family has requested that no more Christmas cards be sent to him. Several Cowetans got involved efforts to send the 5-year-old Michigan boy, who has cancer, Christmas cards. In a family maintained website, his mother, Diana, posted the following message: "Please stop sending cards and gifts. Noah is very ill. He is not getting out of bed and it's time for Scott, our families, and I to concentrate on our son. His time is very short and he needs us."]

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