Card Challenge Sends 5,000 'Get Well' Wishes to Young Cancer Victim

Santa Claus isn't the only one getting a lot of mail this month.

To date, more than 5,000 cards of all shapes, sizes and designs have been delivered, by care of Macomb Township resident Laura Pokas, to Joey Caretti, an 11-year-old Washington Township boy facing his second battle with cancer.

When Pokas to send 1,000 cards of encouragement to Caretti, recently diagnosed with leukemia, thousands around the world responded.

At last count, the total was climbing toward 6,000, with cards bearing postmarks from 42 states and four countries, including one from Hobart, Tasmania.

Store-bought, hand-made and, in the case of , larger-than-life size, few of the cards sent to Caretti look alike, but all bear identical wishes for Caretti's health and happiness.

And though the card drive has come to end–the final date for mailing cards was Dec. 15–Caretti still needs the help and support of his community.

Battling leukemia, Caretti is in need of a bone marrow transplant. Friends of the family have organized a from 2-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, at in Shelby Township.

about the bone marrow drive and Caretti's story.