Lawmakers proclaim #DStrong Day honoring boy with cancer

January 20, 2016 12:03 pm

January 20, 2016 is now officially #DStrong Day in Rhode Island in honor of Dorian Murray.

The 8-year-old Westerly boy was diagnosed with a rare, untreatable pediatric cancer known as alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. He told his parents he wanted to be famous in China before "going to Heaven."

Dorian’s wish went viral and became a trending topic shared on social media from the Great Wall of China to his hometown, where thousands poured onto Misquamicut State Beach on Sunday forming the message "#DStrong."

"What do you think about having a day named after you?" asked reporter Samantha Fenlon. "It feels good,” said Dorian.

That’s about all Dorian would say to the hoards of media at the State House on Wednesday. He was overwhelmed, to say the least, with all the attention.

"He became very shy so it sort of set the tone for the evening but I think looking back on it he’s going to appreciate everything that happened,” said Dorian’s mom Melissa Murray.

Dorian was honored in both the Rhode Island House and Senate. Lawmakers unanimously passed a resolution for him, by holding up D-Strong signs.

During his visit, he was definitely was given the VIP treatment. The Westerly boy’s picture was projected onto the big screens in each chamber, he got to sit in the Senate President’s seat and even schmooze with the Governor.

"I’m just so honored that they’ve established d-strong day in honor of Dorian to raise awareness to what he’s doing for people and pediatric cancer as a whole. It’s been really overwhelming and beautiful,” said Melissa Murray.

Friends are surprised and happy with how quickly the movement for Dorian has spread.

"It’s been amazing. It is just so heartwarming and in a world with such negativity it’s just been so heartwarming and inspiring. So much positivity has come from it,” said family friend Alicia Truax.