12-year-old cancer fighter plans trip to North Country

Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel’s story is inspiring.   The 12-year-old from Houston, Texas has been battling cancer for a good portion of his life, but that’s not stopping him from spreading his positive vibes around the world, while attempting to break records.

“I’m going to keep on going until my gas tank runs out,” said DJ.  When people ask him what that means, he replies, “That’s when God calls you home.  You never know when God calls you home, unless that light leaves your eyes.

In 2018, DJ was diagnosed with Anaplastic Ependymoma Grade 3, a rare and incurable brain and spinal cancer.  He was given 5 months to live.  That was when his family decided to try an experimental drug that nobody else had yet tried.

That drug, combined with prayers, positive attitudes and an unwavering fight for life has led DJ on his current mission.   He has traveled around the world, getting sworn in as an honorary law enforcement officer with 844 agencies.

According to his father, Theotis Daniel, he’s also received his FBI credentials and has been sworn into the military as well.   He was even mentioned on the U.S. House floor.

DJ formed a deep love for police officers after his family was displaced by Hurricane Harvey.  While staying in a shelter, the police assigned to the shelter would sneak DJ into their break room and give him pizza and chat with him.   From that moment on, DJ knew he wanted to be part of the law enforcement community.

WNBZ Radio Host, Woodhouse saw an article about DJ and knew he wanted to get involved.

“These ceremonies that he partakes in, they add days to DJ’s life because it gives him drive.  It gives him that gumption to keep going,”  said Woodhouse.  “DJ’s disposition is far better than anybody’s that I could have even begun to imagine, given the sort of cards that he’s been dealt.”

Woodhouse teamed up with Saranac Lake Police Chief, Darin Perrotte to not only get DJ to the North Country, but get him sworn in to as many local police agencies as possible.

“In the grand scheme of things, how bad is your day, really?  When this 12-year-old little boy is battling an incurable disease.  He’s strapping on his boots every day and saying “Lets go out and hit the pavement and reach my goals.”  It’s inspirational, “said Perrotte.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for people to donate to DJ’s travel expenses.   DJ’s father plans to drive DJ from Texas to New York, possibly within the next few weeks.

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