# Boy honored by Trump says cancer won't slow him down until 'God calls' him home

## DJ Daniel of Texas has been through 13 brain cancer surgeries, his father says

### MAHA
**Published March 6, 2025 4:00am EST**

[](https://www.foxnews.com/person/d/ashley-j-dimella)

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Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel, the 13-year-old with cancer who received an honorary Secret Service agent badge from President , is speaking out about his personal health journey.

The president, during his address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, honored the boy, who is fighting . The room erupted in applause and standing ovations.

"I am very thankful that Donald Trump invited us down here, and I was not expecting a lot of people to be over there," DJ Daniel told Fox News Digital in an on-camera interview. **(See the video at the top of this article.)**

The president, during his speech, acknowledged DJ Daniel's 13 brain surgeries, which have changed his personality each time, his father told Fox News Digital.

"Originally, he was a very happy, happy boy," Theodis Daniel said. "Now, he's not the same. He's not the same person. He's a different person, different. Because of these surgeries."

Over time, DJ Daniel’s cancer metastasized, relapsed, and returned.

He has undergone 13 brain surgeries, which have changed his personality each time, said Theodis Daniel.

"I have to  learn his personality," said the dad. "So, what you see is what you get until we have another surgery."

DJ Daniel has been given honorary badges across the country, with 908 agencies recognizing him. He surpassed his original goal of 100 badges.



**Well, once I reach 1,000, I'm just going to keep on going until my gas tank runs out. That's when God calls you home:** DJ Daniel said.

Theodis Daniel said that he and his son have met a lot of other children battling cancer at the Texas Children’s Hospital.



Theodis Daniel said he is excited about the Make America Healthy Again movement.

**CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER:** 

"Let me tell you, it breaks your heart to see these kids go through all of the difficulties," he added.

"God calls you home," DJ Daniel said.

**Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease after infancy among children in the U.S., according to NCI.**



"As DJ's doctors believe his cancer likely came from a chemical he was exposed to when he was younger," Trump said.



During his fight, DJ Daniel has talked about his dream of becoming a  and said he was inspired by the kindness of officers he has met over the years.

"They helped us. So I became one. And I want to help other people," he said.

**CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP:** 

DJ Daniel also wants to help the homeless.

"You  take them, get them clean and get them back to where they can work," he said.

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