Olivia Cannon's Brave Fight Against DIPG Brain Cancer

Dear friends of the Cannon and Ferrel families,

Thank you for taking a moment to read this. We’re sharing Olivia’s story and asking for your support as she faces DIPG brain cancer. Here’s a bit about Olivia, her diagnosis, and her family.

Olivia Cannon is six years old. She is bold, brilliant, and full of life.

She’s the kind of kid who asks big questions, loves even bigger, and qualified for the High Ability Learner (HAL) program in Bennington Public Schools as a kindergartener. She loves KPop Demon Hunters, Taylor Swift, Disney Princesses, Mal from Descendants, Teen Titans Go!, butter noodles, and the color cyan.

She should be focused on sight words, spring soccer, and which princess dress to wear.

Instead, Olivia is facing high-grade DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma), an aggressive and inoperable pediatric brain cancer growing in her brainstem. Surgery isn’t possible because the tumor is intertwined with the part of her brain that controls breathing, heart rate, swallowing, balance, and eye movement.

Olivia was diagnosed with DIPG on Valentine’s Day. In the days that followed, she endured multiple MRI scans and a biopsy confirming high-grade DIPG, the most aggressive form. She has begun steroids to help with eye tracking and balance, and radiation starts soon.

There is no cure for DIPG. Even with radiation, this diagnosis typically gives children only limited time. This disease is measured in months, not years.

She is brave beyond words.

And she is showing the world what real courage looks like.

⸻

A Family Who Has Always Served

Kathleen and Tim have spent their lives serving others.

Kathleen dedicated 10 years teaching, including 8 years in Bennington Public Schools, shaping young minds with passion, care, and heart. She's now a devoted stay-at-home mom for their three children. For 25 years, Tim has served our country in the United States Army Reserves, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant (MSG). He is a disabled veteran, was deployed in both the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, and remains active in the Army Reserves after enlisting in January 2001. During his career, he’s worked in law enforcement at NASA and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. He currently works at Hy-Vee's Peony Park store in Retail Security and at Oriental Trading.

They have always shown up for others. Now they are focused on showing up for their daughter in the fight no parent ever expects.

They are heartbroken, exhausted, but determined. Every decision, every appointment, every moment is centered on Olivia.

Arwen (4) and baby Teddy (1) do not fully understand what is happening. Even Olivia cannot grasp the full weight of this diagnosis. They just know she is not feeling well, and they want to be close to each other.

They are holding tightly to each day.

Every day matters now.

⸻

How You Can Support Olivia and Her Family

If you are in a position to give, your support helps with two goals: 1. cover the very real, immediate costs that come with this diagnosis, and 2. fund a dream family trip for the Cannons.

Immediate Medical Costs

Olivia's First Trip To Disney World

Any amount is meaningful, as these expenses add up quickly. Easing that pressure allows Kathleen and Tim to focus on Olivia instead of worrying about bills or time away from work.

It also gives them something just as important: room to make memories.

Olivia also talks about wanting to go to the Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City, splashing for hours in the indoor water park, racing down the kid slides, and using a magic wand to go on a MagiQuest adventure around the lodge.

Your generosity helps make those moments possible. It helps the Cannon family have some time away from work and say yes to joy when they can.

If giving isn’t possible, sharing Olivia’s story and keeping her and her family in your thoughts and prayers is deeply appreciated.

Thank you for walking alongside the Cannon family and surrounding Olivia with love and support when they need it most.

With gratitude,

Friends and family of the Cannons and Ferrels