KOKOMO, Ind. (AP): An 8-year-old Kokomo boy who is battling cancer is taking comfort from thousands of Christmas cards sent to him from around the world.

Ryan Beining's family learned last month that treatments were no longer slowing the growth of his aggressive brain tumor. So they decided to make the most of their time together, including putting up their Christmas tree early because Ryan loves the holiday.

Teachers at Taylor Intermediate School launched a plan to get Christmas cards to Ryan. Word of the idea hit the Internet, and the family has received 6,000 Christmas cards from nearly every U.S. state and as far away as England and China.

Ryan's mom, Anita Beining, says reading the cards has become part of the family's daily routine.