Teenage Athlete's Shoulder Pain Reveals Devastating Cancer Battle

In August 2025, a 13-year-old basketball player from Mayfield, Kentucky named Dakarai was diagnosed with Stage IV osteosarcoma that had already spread to both of his lungs. The devastating news came just months after Dakarai's stepmother, who had been part of his life since he was 2, lost her own battle with cancer.

Dakarai's journey began in January 2024 when he started complaining about shoulder pain, which his mother, Ashley Williams, initially attributed to "growing pain." However, by mid-March, his condition had worsened, with a swollen shoulder and limited mobility. An X-ray and MRI scan revealed a tumor, and a subsequent biopsy confirmed the heartbreaking diagnosis.

Despite undergoing immediate chemotherapy, surgery to remove the entire humerus bone in his shoulder, and radiation therapy, the cancer has continued to spread. "Nothing has stopped the cancer," Williams said. "Not the chemo. Not the surgery. Not the radiation. It just keeps spreading."

Through it all, Dakarai has shown remarkable strength and resilience, inspiring his mother. "I have watched Him give Dakarai strength when everything in his body was breaking down," Williams said. She has found solace in sharing Dakarai's journey on social media, connecting with others facing similar challenges.

As Dakarai approaches 15 months of his battle, Williams' only hope is for "more time" – more good days, more laughter, and more memories not centered around hospitals and medicine. She continues to rely on her faith, praying for a miracle that could stop the relentless cancer.