MEDICAL LAKE, Wash – A young man who was able to live his dreams of starting on the basketball team and receiving his diploma has passed away.
The Medical Lake boys basketball team announced Owen Pitts died Tuesday morning.
He battled cancer throughout his young life. Medical Lake High School honored Owen at a game in December, allowing him to run out in the starting lineup and score a basket.
At the game, he also received his diploma and cap and gown, with the whole crowd chanting his name.
“For us as a team, Owen has been part of everything we have done and will continue to be part of everything we do going forward,” wrote Medical Lake basketball coach Brett Ward. “I will never forget the triumphant moment of him scoring his basket and receiving his diploma.”
Ward ended the post by saying, “Owen strong!!”
Owen’s story struck a chord, with videos of his senior night shared across social media.
His mom Rachel Pitts told 4 News Now, “There’s a lot of smiles, and I hope that’s the part the kids remember.”
Owen was diagnosed with leukemia at age five.
He went through treatment and was in remission, only for the cancer to return last fall in the form of brain tumors.
The diagnosis was terminal.
Before he died, Owen got to live his dreams, including attending a Kansas City Chiefs game with his parents.
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