The White House announced on Friday that honorary U.S. Secret Service Special Agent DJ Daniel’s father, Theodis Daniel, confirmed that the 13-year-old was diagnosed with three new tumors.
In a March press release, the Secret Service explained that DJ Daniel was diagnosed in 2018 with brain and spinal cancer. The Secret Service noted that Daniel had gone through over 13 brain surgeries and was part of a “research study that has given his family hope.”
Highlighting his son’s long medical journey after initially being given only five months to live, Theodis Daniel previously said, “He’s beating the odds.”
President Donald Trump made DJ Daniel an honorary member of the Secret Service during his joint address to Congress in March.
READ MORE: Video: Child cancer survivor DJ Daniel steals the show at Trump speech
In a Friday post on X, formerly Twitter, the White House shared pictures of DJ Daniel and wrote, “We’re lifting up Agent DJ Daniel in prayer after his dad, Theodis, shared that DJ is now facing three new tumors.”
“DJ is one of the strongest, bravest young men—and has now been sworn into 1,351 law enforcement agencies across the country,” the White House added. “Agent Daniel, you’re a true legend.”
In a statement regarding DJ Daniel’s latest health update, Theodis Daniel told Fox 7 Austin that the family was “just winging it day by day.” “He does have three new tumors,” the father said. “It’s rough. There isn’t a class that can teach you how to deal with it. You’re hearing that your child has a nasty disease.”
“We’re just going around showing people, ‘Hey, you do care for one another,’” Daniel added. “Let’s give compassion, and let’s try to join and help each other get through things.”
According to Fox News, DJ Daniel has surpassed his goal of breaking a Guinness World Record by being sworn in as an honorary law enforcement member by over 1,000 law enforcement agencies throughout the United States.
In addition to the White House’s post last week, the Secret Service also shared a picture of Daniel on social media, tweeting, “We are concerned to learn this morning that DJ Daniel is facing new challenges. We’ve never met a more courageous and inspiring young man. The entire Secret Service family stands with him as he overcomes this next chapter.”
