Aspen Kelly is gearing up to celebrate her 13th birthday on Sept. 1 and, to celebrate, the Oklahoma native — who is battling leukemia — had one special request. “Aspen’s wish was to recieve postcards for her birthday because she wants to see places and things she’s never been to before, because this year she can’t have a party, travel, or go anywhere for her birthday due to low counts,” her mom, Vanessa Kelly, told Closer Weekly. 

Since Vanessa shared her daughter’s birthday wish on Facebook last month, Aspen, 12, has received “over 1,000 cards so far from all 50 states and over 49 countries,” her mom told Closer. Then, on Monday, Aug. 21, Vanessa took to social media to gush about one note Aspen just got in the mail — a postcard from Tom Hanks! 

aspen kelly tom hanks postcard
Vanessa Kelly

“This postcard is too awesome not [to] share, and I’m totally geeking-out right now! But Tom Hanks took the time to send Aspen a postcard from Greece! Wasn’t sure it was really him, but we compared his writing to a letter a fan got online and his picture,” Vanessa wrote on Facebook. “And he’s in Greece right now. How cool is that?!? Thank you so much, Tom Hanks, for taking the time to send Aspen a postcard!”

On the back of the postcard, Tom, 62, sweetly wrote, “Aspen — I hope this arrives in time for your Happy 13th Birthday! Love you! Tom Hanks.” 

Vanessa’s original Facebook post about Aspen’s special request was written on July 20 and included the title, “Birthday Request for a Fighter.” Vanessa then wrote, “So, as many people know my daughter Aspen has been fighting Leukemia since Nov. 22, 2017. Her birthday is Sept. 1 and she will be turning 13. She can’t really do anything or go anywhere for her birthday like she used to so she has a special request. She would like to receive postcards for her birthday.”

aspen kelly postcards
Vanessa Kelly

“Since she can’t really travel unless her counts are up, she is hoping that maybe people can send her a postcard from where they live in the United States or all over the world,” the message continued. “She would love to see a beautiful place, or something cool and exciting from other places she’s never been to before.

“It would be awesome if we could get one from each of the 50 states and six of the continents. Not sure if Antartica is an option lol. You can send them anytime, I plan on putting any postcards received into a box that she can unwrap on her birthday. I’ll be gathering them up for her until then,” Vanessa wrote at the time. 

If you’d like to send Aspen a postcard before her Sept. 1 birthday, please mail it to the following address: 

Aspen Kelly

PO Box 822

Watonga, OK 73772