Heartbreaking photo of teen sitting alone at her birthday party goes viral

BANGOR, Me. -- A heartbreaking photo of a Maine teen sitting alone at her own birthday party has quickly gone viral.

The photo of 18-year-old Hallee Sorenson was posted to Facebook on Tuesday by her cousin Rebecca Lyn.

In the post, Rebecca described her cousin as "a beautiful young woman-both inside and out" who "lights up a room with her smile."

She also wrote that Hallee has autism.

"Hallee is an amazing person - a person I am proud to be related to. She is also a person who just happens to have Autism," Rebecca wrote.

Lyn then described the scene in the photo: Hallee sitting at her 18th birthday party last year, eating birthday cake all by herself.

"Hallee sat at her party anxiously waiting for her friends to arrive so they could have fun....but Hallee's friends would never arrive. Not a single one," Rebecca said.

She says invitations were sent out to classmates and other friends in the area -- but no one showed up. Rebecca says Hallee was heartbroken, hurt and beyond sad.

But now, with Hallee's 19th birthday coming up in July, Rebecca wants it to be extra special.

She has asked everyone to help make Hallee's birthday memorable and send her a birthday card.

"Hal loves getting mail- this would be the best birthday gift she could ask for. If you could find it in your heart to take a few mins out of your day and send her a card, I would be forever greatful," Rebecca wrote.

If you would like to send Hallee a birthday card, you can mail it to:
Hallee Sorenson
34 Wellesley Way
Bangor, ME 04401