Owen Cigich: Fearless, Full of Dreams and Waiting for Hope
Owen’s journey is a reminder that hope continues to grow through resilience, support and the possibility of a lifesaving gift.
At nine years old, Owen Cigich has a larger-than-life personality and enough energy to keep everyone around him smiling. He loves laughing, cup stacking, swimming and spending time with his treasured cat stuffie, Cinnamon Roll.
He is also building a following online through his YouTube channel, @ONEANDONLYOWEN. With help from his parents, Kathleen and Ben, Owen creates videos and is excitedly working toward his goal of reaching 800 followers.
“He’s fearless,” said his mom, Kathleen. “He will jump into a 12-foot-deep swimming pool and talk to anyone.”
That fearless spirit has carried Owen through challenges most children his age will never have to face. During a routine ultrasound at 30 weeks of pregnancy, doctors discovered a posterior urethral valve blockage that damaged Owen’s kidneys. Just seven days after he was born, his parents learned he would one day need a kidney transplant.
Plans for a kidney transplant were interrupted after he was diagnosed with liver cancer and began treatment. Before returning to the kidney transplant waiting list, Owen had to be cancer-free for two years.
Despite every setback, Owen has continued to move forward with determination, optimism and a joyful outlook on life.
When you meet Owen, chances are he will hand you one of his business cards. The idea was completely his own. His cards help spread awareness about his need for a kidney transplant and share information about his YouTube channel.
“It was all his idea and it’s one way to let others know about his need for a kidney and promote his YouTube channel,” Kathleen said.
Owen may be young, but he already thinks about his future. When his dad asks what he wants to be when he grows up, Owen confidently answers:
“I want to be a YouTuber or a math teacher.”
Behind every person waiting for a transplant is a unique story, a family and a dream for the future. Owen’s journey is a reminder that hope continues to grow through resilience, support and the possibility of a lifesaving gift.
Learn more about organ donation at ShareLifeMidwest.com.
