Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is Personal For Palm Bay Family of Olivia Owens
By Steve Wilson // September 25, 2024
Eight-Year-Old Olivia Owens died of brain cancer December 2023
LEFT TO RIGHT: Samantha Owens, a teacher at Odyssey Charter School in Palm Bay, is with her daughters Olivia and Charlotte. Olivia died in 2023, of DIPG, a rare form of brain cancer. Odyssey Charter School, which Olivia attended, will be “Going Gold” on Friday, September 27, a day for students, teachers and families to wear gold in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Gold is the color that represents childhood cancer.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – When Odyssey Charter School in Palm Bay “Goes Gold” on Friday, September 27, to bring awareness to Childhood Cancer, it will take on a personal meaning for one of their teachers, Samantha Owens. Owens lost her youngest child, Olivia, to cancer on December 16, 2023.
When talking about her school, Owens said, “Odyssey Charter School was an anchor for our family during Olivia’s two-year battle. Their support, compassion, and kindness carried us through some of the darkest moments.
The staff, the students, and the families at Odyssey rallied around us, showing us that we were not alone. Their love for Olivia and our family gave us strength when we needed it most.”
Michelle Delaune, a close friend of Owens, who teaches physical education at Odyssey Charter School, talked about the school “Going Gold” on September 27. Delaune said, “It’s our way to bring awareness to our community and to honor our students who lost their battle with cancer and celebrate our students who thankfully beat it and continue to walk our hallways.”
Olivia’s passing affected more than just her immediate family. Delaune had this to say about Olivia, “For two years Olivia fought her battle like a warrior! To watch a child that you love like she’s your own go through hell is unimaginable. No child or family should endure the nightmare that cancer bestows upon them. We need to unite and do better for our children. More funding, spreading awareness, more resources for families, and so many other things, nothing is too small, every little bit helps. I know you don’t want to, but imagine if it was your child, what would you do to help them?”
Owens’ words about her daughter’s courageous battle, and all of those that endure pediatric cancer are inspiring.
She said, “Through Olivia’s journey, I came to understand that raising awareness is not just a responsibility—it’s a way of being her voice. Every child like Olivia deserves to be seen, to be fought for, and to have the world know their story. Cancer can be isolating, but when we come together, we create a community that offers support, hope, and a chance for others to understand the enormity of what these children and their families endure. This month, let’s remember these children and be their voice, advocating for a future where no child fights cancer in silence.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.
Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey.
Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.
He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 25 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.
The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.
