Owen is a bright and active young person who has always loved playing soccer and spending time with friends. Recently, his life changed dramatically when he began experiencing severe back pain during a soccer tournament. What started as discomfort quickly escalated, and within days, Owen was struggling to walk. After several hospital visits and an MRI, doctors discovered a tumor on his spine. He was urgently transferred by helicopter to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for emergency care.

On November 11th, Owen underwent a 6½-hour surgery to remove a tumor between the L1 and L2 vertebrae. The surgeon was able to remove the entire tumor, which was a huge relief. However, ten days later, the pathology results revealed that Owen has a rare bone tumor called Chordoma. This diagnosis meant Owen needed another major operation and six weeks of proton therapy (radiation). On December 11th, exactly one month after his first surgery, Owen faced a nearly 13-hour procedure to remove what doctors hope is all of the Chordoma. During this surgery, two discs and three vertebrae were replaced with a cage, eight screws, and numerous rods. Owen is now in recovery, preparing for radiation treatment to target any remaining tumor cells.

Owen’s journey is far from over, but his strength and positivity inspire everyone around him. Funds raised will help cover his medical bills, travel for treatment, rehabilitation, and other expenses that have come with this unexpected challenge. Please consider helping Owen on his road to recovery. Your support will make a meaningful difference for Owen and his family as they navigate this difficult time.