Man with Down's syndrome receives 42,000 birthday cards

A simple request transformed one man's birthday celebration.

A couple in France asked their Facebook friends to send their son Manuel cards for his 30th birthday on November 22. Manuel has Down's syndrome and his parents explained in the post that he loves getting cards.

They asked their friends "to take a couple of minutes of your time and send him a little card and pass along this information to all of your friends so this chain message doesn't stop. I thank all of you for your effort that will make my Manu incredibly happy."

Within a few weeks, the post was shared more than 100,000 times and trucks were being sent to their home with loads of cards.

Manuel's parents said he's received more than 40,000 cards and they are "moved to tears." A Kentucky boy used Facebook for a similar story.

Dalton Dingus, 9, was battling cystic fibrosis and had one wish last year: to break the Guinness World Record for the most Christmas cards ever received.

A neighbor posted his story and wish to Facebook and it spread instantly. Supporters sent in more than 800,000 cards from all around the world. And although the Guinness World Records doesn't have a category for Dingus' wish, the organization commended the young boy's effort.