The newspaper I work for has been covering the Kanke Family since December 2011, when doctors found a tumor in the youngest son’s neck. David, known as “Lil D” to most was diagnosed with cancer and beat it. He was four at the time the tumor was found.

A second tumor was recently discovered on the other side of his throat, but has since disappeared. Just a few weeks ago David, known as “Lil D’ to most, his mother and most of his brothers all shaved their heads during a fundraiser for St. Baldrick’s, which contributes to childhood cancer research. The event was the day after his sixth birthday.