SEATTLE -- Brenden Foster is living on borrowed time, but a growing number of people from around the country are turning out to help make his simple wish come true.

The 11-year-old boy is suffering leukemia and was given two weeks to live -- a time that came and went -- but Brenden is still hanging on. There is no chemo, no more transfusions; just comfort medications.

"I should be gone in a week or so," he said last Friday. When we saw him earlier this week he was groggy and medicated.

But the disease that took away his dream of growing up to become a marine photographer did not diminish his wish to help others.

"I was coming back from one of my clinic appoints and I saw this big thing of homeless people, and then I thought I should just get them something," he said of the Nickelsville homeless encampment.

Because Brenden was too weak to leave his hospital bed, a group gathered in his honor to distribute a few hundred sandwiches.

"They're probably starving, so give them a chance," Brenden said.

Those few hundred sandwiches are turning into something much bigger. Our first story about Brenden was aired nationally over the weekend, and we were flooded with e-mails and calls from people asking how they could help. Hundreds of readers left comments in support on our Web site.

"He's always thought about others. Never complained about having to go through this, ever," said his mother, Wendy Foster.

On Monday we showed Brenden a video of the sandwiches being handed out. Clearly in pain, Brenden still managed to smile as he listened to stories about the phone calls and e-mails his story had inspired. He has touched many people from all walks of life, from families fighting cancer to men in the military.

That story was also read and watched by people around the world, including in Los Angeles, where KCBS-TV aired our stories and the outpouring of support has resulted in food drives there in Brenden's honor.

"I think it's great, all over the country..." Brenden said Monday.

Surrounded by love and wise beyond his years, he hopes others will follow their dreams.

"Mine already came true," he said."I had a great time and until my time has come, I'm gonna keep having a good time."

How you can help

In Brenden's honor, KOMO News will be holding a food drive for Northwest Harvest and Food Lifeline. You can drop off food on Thursday, November 20th at Fred Meyer stores in Issaquah (6100 E Lake Sammamish Parkway SE), Federal Way (33702 21st Avenue SW) or Brenden's hometown of Bothell (21045 Bothell-Everett Hwy).

If you can't make it in person, you can donate online by going to the Problem Solvers donation page and select "Brenden Foster Food Drive" from the donation options list.

Donations to the family can be made to the "Brenden Foster Cancer Fund" at any Washington Mutual bank branch.