Firefighters honor boy with cancer
When his 4-year-old son was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Dameon Burcie's fellow Dallas firefighters decided to do something to cheer up the family. They organized photos with the boy's name and a message. Soon, other departments caught on. The photos multiplied and were posted on a Facebook page devoted to little Dyrk Burcie. For the family, it was one small act of kindness that snowballed, brightening some very dark days. Dyrk was only 3 when his parents felt a mass on his abdomen. Doctors diagnosed the boy with pediatric liver cancer and later found the cancer had spread to both of his lungs. He underwent nine rounds of chemotherapy and a liver transplant, but nothing worked. In April 2012, Dameon Burcie posted on Facebook that the family had decided to stop intensive treatment and make the most of the time Dyrk has left.
Following their decision, family friend and fellow Dallas firefighter Ronnie Roe talked to other firefighters about a way to help. Firehouses across the Dallas area sent in photos posing with signs emblazoned with Dyrk's name. As Dyrk's story attracted local television coverage, the stream of photos turned into a flood. Burcie said he plans to eventually download all the photos, which he said have brought a welcome smile in tough times. Dyrk and Dameon are seen in this undated personal photo.