After 13-year-old Noah scheduled a suicide for his birthday, his mother asked friends on Facebook to send letters to her son telling him how special he was. She was hoping for at least a couple responses.

What happened next is a remarkable testament to both the power of social media and the kindness of strangers.

"I know it is hard to believe right now, but life gets better. I promise," Noah read from one letter.

He has received thousands of letters from every continent on the planet, including Antarctica.

The sheer volume has lit a light in their lives.

(WATCH the video or READ the story from Steve Hartman at CBS)