DE PERE (NBC 26) — Childhood most cancers shouldn’t be protecting one De Pere boy down. Get to know Owen Obey and the way the group is rallying round him.
- See firsthand the outcomes of a Rotationplasty surgical procedure to take away a cancerous tumor
- Seven 12 months outdated Owen Obey is like some other boy, besides, he was recognized with bone most cancers final summer time
- After a number of surgical procedures and spending most weeks within the hospital for nearly a 12 months now, his constructive angle has impressed many individuals in northeast Wisconsin and past to donate cash to assist help his household
(The next is a transcription of the total broadcast story)
On this home with the yellow ribbons out entrance lives a toddler preventing bone most cancers. I am Pari Apostolakos and I met Owen Obey. He informed me why his analysis is not protecting him from doing the issues he loves.
Like many different seven 12 months outdated boys, Owen Obey likes to be exterior, enjoying along with his canine and enjoying video video games, be along with his siblings and trip his 4 wheeler.
However, final summer time, his life modified.
“It is like watching a practice come in direction of your baby and never figuring out learn how to cease it,” Owen’s mother, Chelsi Weber, mentioned.
Weber says he began feeling ache in his leg and by July, docs discovered a tumor in his left femur. He was recognized with Osteosarcoma or bone most cancers.
He started staying within the hospital for weeks at a time for chemotherapy and a 12-hour surgical procedure, referred to as a rotationplasty, to take away the tumor and reattach the decrease a part of his leg backwards, so his ankle might act as a brand new knee with a prosthetic leg.
“Right here is my prosthetic,” Owen mentioned in his lounge Friday.
After surgical procedure, he needed to discover ways to stroll once more.
“I am actually good at strolling,” he mentioned.
“Was it scary to discover ways to stroll once more?” his mom requested whereas placing on his prosthetic leg.
“No,” Owen replied instantly.
“Did it damage?” Weber requested.
“No,” he mentioned. “I wished to discover ways to stroll so I might drive my four-wheeler and stuff once more.”
Then, one other tumor was present in his left arm and one in his proper collarbone. He is nonetheless present process remedy, however Owen wears his battle scars proudly.
“He is at all times impressed us,” Weber mentioned.
And he is impressed different folks to present. On the time of this story’s publication, a gofundme web page benefitting Owen’s household has raised greater than $29,000 to assist cowl journey prices and medical bills.
“[I’m] Actually pleased with him,” Owen’s dad, Wyatt Obey, mentioned. “By no means actually anticipated that a lot help from anyone.”
Owen’s dad and mom say extra assist is required for analysis searching for to remedy childhood most cancers.
“They solely get like 5 % of federal funding,” Weber mentioned. “95% goes in direction of grownup cancers. So quite a lot of what progress has been made is from dad and mom and people who have met a childhood most cancers survivor.”
A fundraiser for Owen’s household is being held Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. at Stadium View Bar and Restaurant in Ashwaubenon. In De Pere, Pari Apostolakos NBC 26.
