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Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel

Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel

Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel, born on September 25, 2011, in Houston, Texas, is a remarkable young boy whose inspiring journey has touched hearts nationwide despite his battle with terminal anaplastic ependymoma grade III, a rare brain and spine cancer diagnosed in 2018 at age six, initially giving him a prognosis of just five months. Defying the odds, DJ has endured over 13 brain surgeries and experimental treatments, continuing to fight for over seven years, though he faced a critical setback in June 2025 with new tumors and ICU hospitalization following surgery. His passion for law enforcement, sparked in 2017 during Hurricane Harvey when police officers showed kindness to his displaced family, led him to be sworn in as an honorary officer by over 1,351 agencies across the U.S., surpassing his goal of 100, with notable moments including a massive ceremony in Missouri and being named an honorary U.S. Secret Service agent by President Trump in March 2025 during a congressional address. DJ’s vibrant personality, humor, and faith shine through as he raises awareness for childhood cancer, honors the legacy of others like Abigail Arias, and inspires communities, all while facing online harassment and political backlash that have added strain to his family, particularly his supportive single father, Theodis Daniel. Despite these challenges, DJ’s mantra, “I’m going to keep on going until my gas tank runs out,” reflects his unwavering determination to live fully and leave a legacy of resilience and positivity.