Cutting a big check.
Jason Aldean is currently out on his Full Throttle Tour, and during a stop in Houston, Texas he surprised the crowd with an appearance from a special guest. But this time it wasn’t a fellow artist: It was 13-year-old cancer patient and honorary Secret Service agent DJ Daniel.
If you’re not familiar with DJ’s story, you may remember the heartwarming moment earlier this year when President Donald Trump surprised the young cancer patient during a joint session of Congress by making him an honorary member of the United States Secret Service.
DJ was diagnosed with terminal brain and spinal cancer in 2018, and has since undergone 13 brain surgeries, despite only being given just five months to live at the time he was diagnosed.
The youngster is also a big fan of law enforcement, and has been sworn in as an honorary officer by over 1,300 different departments, including ICE and the DEA.
He’s become a major celebrity in the wake of all of his recognition and the struggles that he’s faced at such a young age. And recently, he put out a call asking for help getting in touch with Jason Aldean for a good cause:
“Hey, does anybody know Jason Aldean? Because we’re trying to do a country show down here to raise money for kids with cancer.”
Well the video caught the attention of one of Aldean’s friends: Darius Rucker. And last week, Darius and Aldean responded to DJ’s request:
“Hey DJ, what’s up? It’s Darius Rucker. Guess what? I heard you. I know Jason Aldean.”
And Aldean promised to get in touch with Daniel soon:
“Hey, what’s up DJ? Jason Aldean here. Got your message and want to get you out to a show. Let’s talk more about doing a show or doing something to help the kids like you were talking about. We’ll be in touch, man.”
Well Daniel and Aldean were finally able to get together, and the 13-year-old hero made a surprise appearance onstage with the country star during his show on Friday in Houston, Texas.
After he brought Daniel and his family onstage, Aldean revealed that they had partnered with the Houston Astros and Patriot Mobile to raise $200,000 for Heroes for Children, an organization that helps support childhood cancer patients and their families.
Ahead of the show, Aldean and Daniel hosted an event at Puttshack in Houston with members of the Astros, as well as families, staff and children from Heroes for Children, where they not only played mini golf but also presented the organization with the donation and invited all the children and their families to his sold-out show that evening. And the Astros also gave them an invite to attend batting practice and meet their favorite players at a future game.
Pretty cool stuff.
On stage, Aldean had high praise for the 13-year-old Daniel:
“I spent a few hours with this guy today, and when I tell you he’s a kid that will brighten your day up, I’m not kidding. This guy is pretty unbelievable right here.”
Oh, and Daniel also had a joke for the crowd:
“I got a question. Are y’all parking tickets? Because I heard y’all got hella fine written all over you.”
You love to see it.
