For the most part, Dalton Dingus' Christmas list isn't all that different from any other 9-year-old's. Electronics and a tool set are a top request; after that, though, Dingus splits with his peers in a big way.
The Salyersville, Ky., boy has cystic fibrosis, a debilitating respiratory disease that's expected to take his life. But the boy has one big wish for Santa: By Dec. 31, he wants to set a record for receiving the most number of Christmas cards.
Guinness World Records doesn't currently monitor a category for this specific record. According to Guinness spokeswoman Jamie Panas, however, a Christmas card milestone was set 20 years ago by Jarrod Booth, a Canadian who ABC News reports received 205,120 cards.
"[It's] not something we currently have a category for at the moment," Panas said in an emailed comment to The Huffington Post. "Everyone at Guinness World Records applauds Dalton’s enthusiasm for record breaking and wish him the very best of luck in his endeavor!"
As of Dec. 26, Dingus had received at least 504,269 Christmas cards. And with every card, his spirits get a little brighter.
"He's excited for the first time in a long time," said his mother, Jessica Dingus, to ABC. "He's smiling more. He's laughing more, he's beginning to become how he was two years ago."
The boy has received Christmas cards from across the world, adds RTV-6, with thousands of cards from Europe and Japan. He's also asking people send cards to other sick kids who may be in need of a pick-me-up.
If you would like to send Dalton a card prior to Dec. 31, address it to:
Dalton Dingus
HC 62 Box 1249
Salyersville, KY 41465