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Faith

You Won’t Believe What Firefighters Across the Country Did for a 4-Year-Old With Cancer

Sep. 25, 2012 12:44pm Erica Ritz

Cancer Patient Dyrk Strong Burcie Inspires Firefighter Photo Project Across America

(Photo: Facebook/Fundraiser for Dyrk Burcie)

(TheBlaze/AP) — A 4-year-old Dallas boy whose battle with cancer inspired his father’s firefighting crew and firefighters across the country to post supportive photos on his Facebook page has passed away.

Dameon Burcie, who is a lieutenant in the Dallas Fire Department, said his son Dyrk died peacefully on Monday at the family home in Dallas.

Dyrk was “one of the happiest kids you could ever find,” Dameon Burcie said.

Dyrk Burcie was 3 when his parents noticed a mass on his abdomen while he was taking a bath. Doctors diagnosed him with pediatric liver cancer and later found the cancer had spread to both of his lungs.

(Photo: Facebook/Fundraiser for Dyrk Burcie)

Dyrk underwent nine rounds of chemotherapy and a liver transplant. “The last few weeks, he had some discomfort with all of his surgeries and chemotherapy,” his father said.

In April, Burcie posted on Facebook that the family had decided to stop intensive treatment and make the most of the time Dyrk had left. Family friend and fellow Dallas firefighter Ronnie Roe talked to other firefighters about sending Dyrk photos of them posing with signs emblazoned with the boy’s name.

(Photo: Facebook/Fundraiser for Dyrk Burcie)

The Dallas firefighters’ photo project caught on with crews at other fire departments, who also posted images on a Facebook page devoted to Dyrk.

In one photo, firefighters from Longview, in East Texas, spelled Dyrk’s name in hay before dousing it in oil and liquid detergent and setting it on fire. A firefighter snapped a photo of the boy’s name in flames from up on a nearly 100-foot-tall ladder.

(Photo: Facebook/Fundraiser for Dyrk Burcie)

In College Station, about 90 miles northwest of Houston, firefighters posed in front of two trucks with their cabs tilted forward. Two logos from the “Transformers” action figures – Dyrk’s favorite – were digitally added.

(Photo: Facebook/Dyrk Burcie)

Fire crews from throughout the country posted photos of support for Dyrk, as did many non-firefighters, including other children his age, youth sports teams, beauty queens and active-duty soldiers.

One man said he was so inspired by Dyrk’s story that he posted this mural on his garage to raise awareness:

(Photo: Facebook/Fundraiser for Dyrk Burcie)

And even the Omni Hotel in Dallas lit up in the boy’s honor:

(Photo: Facebook/Fundraiser for Dyrk Burcie)

“It was absolutely incredible,” Burcie said of the response. “Dyrk would ask almost every day if he could see the pictures that had been posted that day.”

(Photo: Facebook/Fundraiser for Dyrk Burcie)

The Amish turned out in support:

(Photo: Facebook/Fundraiser for Dyrk Burcie)

As did far-away beauty contestants:

(Photo: Facebook/Fundraiser for Dyrk Burcie)

The boy’s funeral is scheduled for Friday at First Baptist Church of Midlothian. He will be buried at Mount Zion Cemetery near Midlothian, 30 miles southwest of Dallas.

(Photo: Facebook/Fundraiser for Dyrk Burcie)

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Burcie family,” Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Jason Evans said in an email. “Dyrk’s resilience, and smile, has taught us all a lesson in how to approach every day of our lives; and for that he will forever be in our hearts.”

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Comments (47)

Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:52pm
Rest in Peace little Dyrk. You have been an inspiration to so many in your short life; now rest in the loving arms of God and the angels.

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KINGRUDDY
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:35pm
A true American Hero.
God Bless you Dyrk!

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- WhiteFang
  Posted on September 25, 2012 at 4:35pm
  KINGRUDDY- A true American Hero. God Bless you Dyrk!
  
  I understand what you are trying to do and I appreciate your wish for this child and his parents. But really, Dyrk was not a hero, he was a victim, a victim of sickness and death brought upon all mankind by our enemy, Satan the Devil, who was a man-slayer when he began and he continues to be such to this very day. Dying stinks and it affects all of us. What we have hope in is the day we will see our loved ones, like Dyrk, resurrected by our King, Jesus Christ.
  
  Pray for God’s Kingdom to come. Matthew 6:9-10
  
  Report this comment
- lemonfemale
  Posted on September 28, 2012 at 2:48pm
  This is for Whitefang, actually. Dyrk was both a hero and a victim. Not all heroes win.
  
  Report this comment
Cabo King
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:32pm
Dyrk—you are now my HERO!!!!!!!

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Bearfoot
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:32pm
It is the saddest thing to lose a child, or an adult for that matter. Death has been with us from the beginning, and children are not immune. But take courage for Our Saviour Jesus Christ said;
““Most truly I say to YOU, The hour is coming, and it is now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who have given heed will live.26For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted also to the Son to have life in himself.27And he has given him authority to do judging, because Son of man he is.28Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice29and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life,”"…. (John 5:25-29)

Little Dyrk will be back.

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- L.B.Stephens
  Posted on September 30, 2012 at 3:05pm
  Bearfoot,
  
  Good comment, thanks.
  
  Report this comment
OniKaze
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:22pm
THAT is America, ladies and gentleman….

No matter who we are, and no matter what we are doing, we ALL have a heart that will show love and honor to a child in need…

I am sad his time ran out, but I could not be more proud that a simple 4 year old child, can touch the lives of people he had never met….

DYRK STRONG FOR LIFE!! I will live my life for the most, in honor of kids like Dyrk that don’t get that chance…

Rest Well Dyrk, You’ve earned it…

A side note: Isn’t it amazing that a 4 year old child with cancer has unified more people in our country than our “president” who was sold as a uniter… It jjust goes to show… Its not what you say.. Its who you are, and what you do that matters…

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capitalismrocks
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:12pm
That was beautiful, I’m smiling and tearing at the same time, whoa… that is pure love, caring and support. God Bless to them all…

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phillipwgirard
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:12pm
Handsome young man, God Bless.

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gunslingerpatriot
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:00pm
RIP Dyrk!
Yeshua needed a little angel and you will be missed here on earth.

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- Bearfoot
  Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:54pm
  Psalms 37:29 tells us: The righteous themselves will possess the earth,
  And they will reside forever upon it.
  
  For that prophecy to be fulfilled requires those who have died to be resurrected to earth. God does not need Dyrk to be an angel, Christ sacrificed his life to bring back people to live on the earth.
  
  “But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth,
  And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.” (Psalms 37:11)
  
  Report this comment
oldandtired
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:00pm
God bless the Burcie family

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Chris.underhill
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:49pm
Man look at those eyes. whoa are they powerful.. I can see why god took him back. i am sorry for your loss. dyrk is in the best place in the world now. I feel just looking at his photo it makes me envy him. Just think of how lucky he is to be chosen by god to bring all of us together. I thank you lord! please lord bless dyrk’s family bring them closer then they have ever been, fill them with warmth and love lord. amen

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- samheaken
  Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:14pm
  Ditto
  
  Report this comment
christos
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:43pm
Who is taking all of the missing children,I believe they are the enemy of the U.S. because they are here now,we/U.S. have opened the door for them welcomed them in,they/enemy believe in vengeance they do not believe in +JESUS+GOD+ there are a ton of kids missing in he last 15 years Hope someone is checking in to that connection of all of these kids missing.

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- GMP
  Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:54pm
  WTF are you talking about? Go troll elsewhere
  
  Report this comment
banjarmon
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:43pm
DYRK, God wanted you to lead his Angles. You are Blessed!

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hecowe
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:39pm
What a beautiful child! Look at those long eyelashes! His handsome face will always be remembered by those of us who’ve been touched by this. Prayers and blessings for the Burcie family.

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Atikva
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:36pm
America, my beloved country.

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right-wing-waco
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:25pm
What a beautiful young man. I had hoped to read the story and learn of a miracle. Instead I am very saddened for Dyrk and his family & friends. Our thoughts and prayers to the family.

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RJJinGadsden
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:20pm
Wow, if that doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, nothing can. God Bless little Dyrk.

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- IMCHRISTIAN
  Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:08pm
  Rj .. you are so right as I sit here with a tear but a smile, too, for all those that were so good to him throughout his illness. God be with the family and friends through these times of sorrow.
  
  Report this comment
momrules
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:19pm
I speak from experience……….Sometimes something that a parent does not think they can bear can bring forth good fruit.

Just look what goodness, what love, this one small child brought out in this world.

May God give His support the the parents and others that love Dyrk Burcie.

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- IMCHRISTIAN
  Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:20pm
  MOM, you are so right. God does have a way to bring us some light when we think there is so much darkness. I am glad that you saw that, too. Love to you, my new friend.
  
  Report this comment
- Taquoshi
  Posted on September 26, 2012 at 12:10am
  My thoughts and prayers are with Dyrk’s family during this heart breaking time.
  
  Our town just lost a 9 year old to brain cancer on Friday. Although I never met her, Isabella had a sweet face and a mass of curly black ****. A few weeks earlier, someone had mentioned to me “Locks of Love” which is an organization that accepts cut pony tails of human **** 12 inches or longer to make into wigs for children who lose their **** through illness. I can’t help Isabella’s family or Dyrk’s financially, but I was able to cut my **** and it will be donated tomorrow in Isabella’s memory while she is being laid to rest.
  
  Rest in peace, Dyrk and Isabella.
  
  Report this comment
ALL4FREEDOM
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:17pm
People often ask why bad things happen to good people. I believe that God is testing us. These firemen pass with flying colors. And as long as we meet the Lord’s standard, radical Islam will never triumph in this land.

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biohazard23
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:15pm
Sincere condolences to Dyrk’s family for their loss. I can’t imagine how painful it must be to lose a child. God bless this family in their grief.

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chickenfried
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:13pm
Dyrk strong….hard to type with tears in my eyes.

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Owt_Raged
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:02pm
Kids have the greatest impact on adults! I’m glad his parents had the opportunity to enjoy the gift of their son, even if it was only for a short time.

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- Want our country back
  Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:16pm
  America, you are great, don’t ever let people around the world convince you of anything different. This story is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. What an adorable little boy. God Bless him and his family and all the people who were touched by his story.
  
  Report this comment
floridareader
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:01pm
It’s hard to understand why little ones have to suffer so much, and bad human beings roam the world enjoying the goods of life.
At least children that have suffered as much as Dirk did are in Heaven.

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Angel_light
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:00pm
that was a very sweet thing all the firefighters and everyone else did. my best to the family

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WHISKY13
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 12:56pm
my heart aches for your loss. so young, innocent, and beautiful. G-d help you thru your heartache, and and i pray there is some comfort to Burcie family that your boy is with you in soul and spirit and you will re unite in the next world.

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DELTAJOHN
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 12:50pm
God bless all those kind people!

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