Dane Johnson

Three-year-old Dane Johnson is an active little boy who loves trains, sharks and baseball as well as being showered by attention by his older siblings and large extended family. When Dane’s mother Julie picked him up from daycare one day, Dane’s right eye was swollen. Not thinking it was much more than a normal bump active little boys are prone to, Julie became more concerned when it didn’t improve. Not sure what was causing the swelling, Julie took him to Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children where they were shocked to find out that Dane had a large tumor in his right maxillary sinus as well as his secum. Just three days later, Dane was officially diagnosed with cancer – Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Since then, Dane has been undergoing treatment including chemotherapy and will need to undergo future surgeries for reconstruction purposes. Through it all, Dane continues to be a happy little boy full of sunshine and joy. Julie maintains hope that Dane will have a long life ahead of him and have a great career and family of his own someday. As difficult as her journey has been, she credits her family for helping her make it through.

Quote: You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know dear, how much I love you – please don’t take my sunshine away.

Information provided by Julie Johnson, Dane’s Mom
October 2012