‘The key to true peace’: How Owen and his family are bringing awareness to fibrolamellar carcinoma

At 12 years old, Owen “was supposed to be in his prime,” says his dad, Mike. So it came as a shock when a doctor’s appointment for abdominal pain ultimately led to a diagnosis of fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC). This rare type of liver cancer mainly affects teens and young adults and often spreads beyond the liver before noticeable symptoms appear.

In May 2026, Owen underwent extensive surgery with Dr. Heung Bae Kim, surgical director of the Liver Tumor Center of Excellence at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, to perform an extensive resection and remove as much of the primary tumor as possible. Although Owen’s diagnosis “has battle-tested our family,” says Mike, it has also given them a new perspective, a lot of gratitude, and a drive to spread awareness about fibrolamellar carcinoma. Here, Mike shares what they’ve learned.

Listen to your child

At first, Mike and his wife, Cassie, assumed Owen’s low energy was just part of being a sometimes-moody tween. “You think, ‘he’s 12 and it’s normal,’” says Mike. Although FLC is an aggressive cancer that often has no symptoms in its early stages, Owen’s parents still say they wish they had noticed the subtle changes in him sooner.

Do your research

Owen’s parents were happy with their local children’s hospital in Rhode Island, but they knew he would need more specialized care. Their research led them to Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “It turned out that some of the best doctors in the world for Owen’s condition were only an hour away from us,” says Mike. The family has also been pleased with the collaborative aspect of his care. Dr. Allison O’Neill, medical director of the Liver Tumor Center, spearheaded his oncological treatment and has worked with his team in Rhode Island so he can undergo chemotherapy closer to home.

Figure out what works for you

Mike and Cassie have included Owen in conversations about his care and allowed him to make the final call on any decisions. “We’re not going to hide anything from him,” says Mike. “Trusting in him to make choices about his body has been huge for us.” Along with conventional treatment, Owen has leaned into the traditional Chinese practice of qi gong, which combines gentle movements with meditation. “He’s a wise old soul and has a very positive mindset,” says Mike. “His motto is, ‘acceptance is the key to true peace.’”

Find your team

Along with Mike, Cassie, and Owen’s older brother, Tyler, his support system includes both new and old friends, who often stop by to hang out with him. “They’ve really stepped up, and that gives him a big smile,” says Mike. Although he’s had to skip soccer season, Owen cheered on the rest of his team from the sidelines — and the team responded by holding a community fundraiser for him. The family has found support through Boston Children’s, too. “We’re humbled by the amazing people we’ve met, from the doctors to the janitors — they really care about kids.”

Be kind

As Owen and his family continue to navigate his diagnosis and treatment, they say they’re grateful for the kindness they’ve experienced, even from strangers. “Before Owen had surgery, we knew the odds of him surviving weren’t great, but we walked around with smiles on our faces anyway,” says Mike. “We’re kinder to other people now, because you never know what someone is going through — we want to pay forward the kindness we’ve been shown.”

Learn more about our Liver Tumor Center.