Help Owen Fight, Childhood Cancer!

This was not the summer the Obey family had planned. Owen had been experiencing occasional pain in the leg that he broke when he was two years old. When they took him to his orthopedic surgeon to get it checked out, they received devastating news. Their sweet boy more than likely had osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.

After the diagnosis was confirmed, their wonderful team of doctors, nurses, and medical professionals were able to develop a treatment plan and start chemotherapy almost immediately. Owen had a port placed, underwent countless tests, multiple doctor visits and hospital stays, all while trying to enjoy being a 6-year-old boy who just finished kindergarten. He was a trooper through it all, even earning the award for bravest patient at one of his appointments.

Unfortunately, the pain in his leg has continued to get worse. His tiny body is fighting this thing with everything he’s got. Owen continues to go through his rigid and challenging chemotherapy treatment schedule. He will need chemotherapy both before and after surgery for a total of around 8 months.

Surgery is inevitable, as bone tumors need to be removed completely. Choosing the type of surgery was an extremely difficult decision to make for his parents, Chelsi and Wyatt, being that Owen’s life will be permanently altered regardless of which option they chose. Ultimately, they chose the best option for Owen so he can remain an active child without physical limitations. If all continues to go as planned, Owen will have rotationplasty surgery, a form of amputation, sometime at the end of September. Owen will require the use of a prosthetic leg- likely many of them as he continues to grow over the years. He will also need physical therapy to help him learn how to walk again and use the prosthetic leg. Chelsi and Wyatt also hope to get a walk-in shower for Owen, so that he can remain as independent, and safe, as possible. Independence is very important to Owen, even at 6 years old.

As you can imagine, this family’s life and dynamic has been forever changed. With their two younger children, Cooper (2) and Decker (6 months), to care for, Chelsi and Wyatt are taking things one day at a time. The three boys are their main concern and priority; however, they also have professional and financial obligations that need to be taken into consideration.

Chelsi and Wyatt have been working when they can while also being intentional about being with Owen during treatment and spending time together as a family. While they are not ones to ask for help, this family could sure use an army to surround and support them. All types of support are needed during crisis, but the purpose of this request is for financial support. Thankfully, their employers have been very understanding in allowing time off of work to care for Owen. Wyatt recently started a new job this year and Chelsi was off work for maternity leave in February, so neither have FMLA job protection during this time. Wyatt has mostly been off work without pay, and Chelsi is quickly exhausting what is left of her paid time off and the generous donation of PTO from co-workers. If you are able to support financially, this family would be forever grateful.

If financial support is not an option, Chelsi and Wyatt appreciate all thoughts, prayers, good vibes and well wishes for Owen and their family. It means a lot that there are people thinking of their little warrior and cheering him on.

Always ones to give back, the Obey family is already hopeful for the future when they can remember all the kindness and generosity that was offered to them during this traumatic time and pay it forward.

Thank you for your consideration to support the Obey family ❤

Owen also has a bank account started in his name, Owen Obey, at Capital Credit Union where donations can be mailed or dropped off. The bank said to include his name and account ending 0539 with donations. Mailing address:

Capital Credit Union

C/o Owen Obey

1121 W Main Ave., Suite 100

Depere, WI 54115

If you would like to read more about Owen’s journey and get updates on how he is doing, you can follow along on Chelsi or Wyatt’s Facebook pages: Chelsi Susan and Wyatt Obey

Many people have asked for Owen to make an Amazon wish list. Owen has plenty of toys, games, and “things” in general, so please don’t feel obligated, but he has had a lot of fun getting to put whatever he wants on his list, no matter the price.

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/MOQJ1LY1RINN