SILVERDALE — Joseph Davidson has a lot of things to be proud of.

At 3 and a half years old, he’s finally potty trained and hoping mom and dad Rebecca and Stuart send him to preschool this fall.

And he’s got a new baby sister, 12-month-old Margaret Ann, to show off.

But one of the biggest sources of pride is a medal he wears around the house sometimes and will be wearing this Friday as the North Kitsap Relay for Life kicks off at the North Kitsap High School track in Poulsbo.

Joseph is a cancer survivor.

At just five months old, the now bubbling tow-head was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare childhood cancer. The cancer had caused a tumor to grow in Joseph’s prostate and bladder, which required 10 months of chemotherapy, followed by two weeks of focused radiation treatment.

Joseph was the youngest patient to ever receive such treatment.

“He was in treatment with 60- to 80-year-old men,” Rebecca recalled.

The procedures, which seem to have worked, concluded in May 2001. Last year, the Davidsons shared their story with the Herald and said in the year since, they’ve watched their son grow by leaps and bounds.

“He’s just a normal little boy,” Stuart, an executive officer at Subase Bangor, said with a smile watching Joseph rough house with little brother Nathaniel, 1 and a half.

While nearing age 4, the Davidsons said Joseph has become much more cognizant of his cancer treatments. He has three of a total of five years of detailed follow ups every six months left. After that, he’ll have annual check ups until he reaches the age of 18. At home, Joseph practices laying still for MRI and CAT scans and Stuart and Rebecca talk with him frequently about the anesthesia mask associated with both. The two scans are Joseph’s least favorite parts of his doctor visits.

“It’s scary,” Joseph explained.

But despite the often difficult things about being a cancer survivor, Joseph and his family have founds ways to cope.

They have frequent correspondences with a large prayer chain the Davidsons contacted when Joseph was first diagnosed. They like to read “Andrew’s Story,” a book written by another boy who had cancer, during visits to Madigan Hospital.

“It helps him understand his cancer,” Stuart said of the story.

And they look forward each year to the North Kitsap Relay for Life.

The fourth annual event begins at 6 p.m. July 18 at the North Kitsap High School track and doesn’t end until 3 p.m. the next day. It is a gathering of people from across North Kitsap to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

The first lap of the relay-style event is done by survivors, among which will be the Davidson family.

“Oh yeah, we’ll be there,” Rebecca said. “Wagon and all. Someone had a little red wagon last year and Joseph just went ga ga for it so now we have our own wagon to pull. And we have a new baby to bring.”

The Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s largest fund-raiser. The event started in Tacoma in 1985 and that year raised $27,000 for cancer research, treatment and education. Today, more than 3,800 communities hold a Relay and nationally, the event raised more than $243 million last year.

“You look at how much money they’ve raised for ACS and it’s very encouraging to see the advancements made in cancer treatment and detection,” Stuart commented. “That’s why we want to participate to help that.”

This year, the Davidsons are honoring Joseph, a cousin who is fighting cancer and three close friends and family members who died of cancer this year with their participation in Relay.

Even those not on a team for the North Kitsap Relay for Life are encouraged to attend. The event will include food, music, raffles and cancer-related information.

One of the more inspiring events is the 10:30 p.m. luminaria ceremony. Anyone can purchase a luminary bag and candle for a $5 donation to ACS. People write things like the names of loved ones fighting, or who have fought, cancer and inspirational messages. During the solemn part of the usually jovial event, the stadium lights are extinguished in favor of the luminaries and participants have the chance to reflect on the toll of cancer the community.

Besides being an effective tool for fighting and bringing more awareness of cancer, the Davidsons said Relay is a chance for cancer survivors and their families to find hope and support.

“I just think being around a group of other people who have been through the same thing we have really helps,” Stuart said. “We have a good friend who had cancer when she was 7 and now she’s 35 and has two children so it’s good to know there’s hope after cancer.”

“It’s encouraging to have everyone gathered in one place. We definitely feel supported,” Rebecca added.

And as for Joseph, he said he’s looking forward to walking the track at Relay, wearing his survivor medal and pin and introducing the event to his baby sister.

“She’s going to like it,” Joseph predicted.