(CNN) Disney has granted a dying "Stars Wars" fan's wish to watch the new movie in the franchise, "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker," with his young son ahead of its release date, after responding to an appeal from the hospice where he is being treated.

Rowans Hospice in Hampshire, England, took to Twitter on Tuesday to make the plea on behalf of one of its patients, saying "time is not on his side" for mid-December, when the movie is scheduled to be released in the UK.

Can you help? We have a patient who's a HUGE #StarWars fan. Sadly, time is not on his side for the 20th Dec. His wish is to see the final Star Wars film #RiseOfSkywalker with his young son. If you know ANYBODY who might be able to make it happen, please share with them. Thank you — Rowans Hospice (@RowansHospice) November 26, 2019

The appeal met with strong support on social media, with the likes of Mark Hamill -- Luke Skywalker himself -- wishing the hospice " good luck " with its request.

Bob Iger, Disney's Chairman and CEO, tweeted on Thursday that the company would allow the patient a preview: "On this Thanksgiving, we at @Disney are grateful to be able to share #TheRiseOfSkywalker with a patient and his family @RowansHospice. May the force be with you and with us all!"

On this Thanksgiving, we at @Disney are grateful to be able to share #TheRiseOfSkywalker with a patient and his family @RowansHospice. May the force be with you and with us all! — Robert Iger (@RobertIger) November 28, 2019

In a statement from Rowans Hospice, Lisa Davies, the health care support worker who passed the patient's wish on to other staff members, said she was " utterly speechless ."

Read More