FLORISSANT, Mo (KMOX) - A local father is hoping to make this Christmas an especially memorable one for his son, but he could really use your help.
Eleven-year-old Alex Sims of Florissant has IPEX syndrome and has battled a number of medical problems for most of his life, says father Brandon. IPEX syndrome is a disease that affects an estimated 1 in 1.6 million people, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. It affects the immune system, causing it to malfunction and instead of protecting the body from bacteria and viruses, it attacks the body's own tissues and organs.
"Eventually, unfortunately it will do so much damage that Alex and other patients who have IPEX aren't able to survive," Brandon Sims says.
The disease could take Alex's life in the next few years.
Brandon Sims says while he can't cure Alex, he can make his holiday a bit brighter. Sims says Alex loves Christmas and Dec. 26 is his birthday. But one thing Alex really loves, is getting mail.
"It just puts a smile on his face," Sims says. "It brightens his day, so I decided to ask my family and friends to send a birthday card or just a note, just to see how much mail he could get."
Then he put the call for mail out on social media and Alex has received mail from 46 of 50 states and all over the world. He thinks they'll be reading cards until Valentine's Day.
He's also encouraging people to register at BeTheMatch.org to be a bone marrow donor.
If you'd like to send a letter to Alex, here's the mailing address: