Jason Aldean Supports 13-Year-Old Battling Brain Cancer With $200,000 Check to Cancer Charity

DJ Daniel, an honorary member of the Secret Service, joined the country star at his show in Houston on Friday.

Jason Aldean performs on stage during day three of CMA Fest 2023 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on June 10, 2023. Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Grammy-nominated country star Jason Aldean has backed Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a 13-year-old Texas native battling cancer, in his mission to raise funds for other children facing similar health battles.

On Aug. 15, the “Dirt Road Anthem” singer invited DJ and his father, Theodis Daniel, onto the stage during his show in the Houston area, presenting the teen with a check for more than $200,000.

The check was made out to Heroes for Children, a Texas-based charity that provides financial and emotional support to families contending with childhood cancer, and sponsored by Christian wireless provider Patriot Mobile and Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros.

“I spent a few hours with this guy today, and when I tell you he’s a kid who will brighten your day up, I’m not kidding. This guy is pretty unbelievable right here,” Aldean said in a fan-filmed video of the moment shared online.

“Anybody who thinks they’re having a rough day, this guy right here is an inspiration—should be an inspiration to everybody. ... We love you, man. We’re gonna stay in touch. We’re buddies now, right?”

Ahead of his sold-out show at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Aldean joined DJ for a fun-filled day with the Houston Astros. Players accompanied the duo, as well as Heroes for Children staff and other families battling pediatric cancer, for a day of mini-golf before inviting the children to batting practice and meet-and-greets.

On Facebook, the baseball team called the outing “a day to remember.”

Since being diagnosed with brain and spinal cancer in 2018, receiving a prognosis of only 5 months to live, DJ has dedicated his time to raising awareness and funds in the fight against childhood cancer.

Seven years and more than a dozen brain surgeries later, he is now facing three new brain tumors. Despite his health challenges, DJ still dreams of one day becoming a police officer.

His determination has led more than 1,000 law enforcement agencies to swear him in as an honorary member, among them the Arkansas State Capitol Police and the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office in Redding, California.

Devarjaye "DJ" Daniel is lifted up by his father, Theodis Daniel, after being given credentials from U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran after President Donald Trump made him an honorary member of the Secret Service during his address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 4, 2025. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

DJ gained national attention in March as a guest of President Donald Trump for his address at the Joint Session of Congress, receiving a very special surprise.

“Tonight, DJ, we’re going to do you the biggest honor of them all,” Trump said during the March 4 speech.

“I am asking our new Secret Service director, Sean Curran, to officially make you an agent of the United States Secret Service.”

Weeks later, on April 22, DJ was sworn in as an honorary U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent, which marked his 1,259th honorary swear-in ceremony.

“It was a day filled with purpose, pride, and inspiration—and another remarkable milestone for DJ as he continues to stand alongside DEA and the law enforcement to spread hope and inspiration across the country,” the agency said in a statement at the time.

“He is a strong, confident, inspirational teenager who brings joy to all the people and police departments he visits.”