PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island lawmakers proclaimed “#DSTRONG Day” to honor an 8-year-old boy with terminal cancer whose final wish was to become famous in China.
Dorian Murray was treated as a visiting dignitary when he appeared at the State House Wednesday afternoon as lawmakers greeted him and passed a General Assembly resolution marking Jan. 20 as a day in his honor.
The State House dome was lit blue, his favorite color.
The Westerly boy has alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and untreatable form of pediatric cancer. Recent tests found his cancer, diagnosed when he was 4, has spread to his spinal fluid and brain.
The boy told his family several weeks ago that he wanted to be famous in China before going to heaven. His father’s Facebook post describing the wish spread across the globe and became a trending social media topic.
#D-STRONG became a trending topic on social media from the Great Wall of China to his hometown, where thousands poured onto Misquamicut State Beach on Sunday to form a message honoring the boy.
Murray was overwhelmed by the attention Wednesday, clutching family members and at several points, breaking down into tears.
“I’m scared, mom,” he said after a throng of media followed him across the Senate floor.
He warmed up as lawmakers in both chambers rose up, addressed him with short speeches and held up signs that said “#DSTRONG.”
“We’re so proud of you and we’re all here for you,” said Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo, who joined the proceedings on the floor of the House.
The boy’s mother, Melissa Murray, said the attention was a lot for him to handle, but she believes he will remember the experience fondly.
