Dalton Dingus Christmas card Guinness record: Cystic fibrosis patient attempts to break record

SALYERVILLE, Ky. - A 9-year-old Kentucky boy battling a serious illness wants one thing this holiday -- to break the Guinness World Record for the number of Christmas cards received.

Dalton Dingus, of Salyerville in eastern Kentucky, has become increasingly sick with cystic fibrosis, and was recently sent home from the hospital to be with family.

His request for Christmas cards started small, but has since spread across the Midwest and the world, with thousands of cards coming in from as far away as Europe and Japan.

The record stands at 35,000, and as of Tuesday, Dalton had received more than 37,000 cards, according to the family's Facebook page .

His mother reads each card to Dalton, and said the quest has brightened his spirits.

Dalton is also encouraging people to send cards to other sick kids.

Those wishing to send Dalton a card can address them to HC 62 Box 1249 in Salyersville, KY 41465.