Meet Owen

Owen has been fighting cancer for nearly his entire life. He was first diagnosed at just 6 months old and underwent chemotherapy, successfully reaching remission for more than seven years.

Unfortunately, in 2023, Owen’s cancer returned. After additional treatment, his family received heartbreaking news in April 2026 that his cancer had progressed and is now considered incurable.

Despite everything he has faced, Owen continues to take on each challenge with incredible resilience and courage. He loves hockey, spending time with his friends and family, and, of course, Star Wars and Avatar.

Recognizing that Owen and his family deserved the chance to step away from treatments, scans and hospital stays, Pretzel Wishes sent them on an unforgettable trip to Disney World.

And Owen made the most of every minute.

He took on some of Disney’s biggest rides, including Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash, Test Track, Expedition Everest, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. But Avatar Flight of Passage quickly became a favorite.

There was plenty of Disney food along the way, too, with meals at Space 220, Be Our Guest Restaurant and Hollywood & Vine—and, according to Owen, some pretty unforgettable beignets at the hotel.

“This trip gave me so many great memories with my family,” Owen shared. “I really loved the rides, especially Avatar, and the beignets at our hotel were the best! My family spends so much time with me in the hospital so it was so nice to have fun together. It was the best trip ever!”

For Owen’s family, seeing him enjoy every minute meant just as much.

“It was absolutely amazing,” his mom shared. “I can’t even explain how much it meant to see him so happy and carefree. He has been through so much and has spent most of his life in hospitals so to see him get to be a carefree kid was so special for us.”

Even after returning home, Owen was still talking about how much fun he had.

For a family that has spent so much time together in hospitals, this trip gave them the chance to spend that time somewhere completely different—riding roller coasters, eating beignets, laughing and making memories together.

Pretzel Wishes is honored to help create moments like these for families facing unimaginable challenges. For Owen and his family, this trip was about more than Disney. It was a chance to step away from the hospital, have fun together and make memories they’ll carry with them forever.

Meet Owen:

Age: 11

Favorite Disney Movie: Star Wars and Avatar

Loves: Hockey and Fast Disney Rides