Gratitude Stories – Owen

From Diagnosis to the Ice Rink

When Owen Hopkins was five, he was a whirlwind of energy—playing hockey, chasing his little brother, and always outside. But when fatigue, fevers, and a limp appeared, his parents knew something wasn’t right.

“I was holding him in the emergency department when they told me,” recalls his mom, Kelsey. “My heart shattered.”

Owen was diagnosed with leukemia and admitted to Hasbro Children’s, where a team of pediatric oncology specialists surrounded the family with care, compassion, and a plan. Though the Hopkins family lived in Massachusetts, they never hesitated to come to Rhode Island for treatment.

Thanks to donor-supported research and clinical trials, Owen had access to advanced therapies—including an aggressive trial option that offered reduced cardiovascular strain. “It was our choice,” Kelsey says. “The clinicians explained everything and made sure we were comfortable. We felt confident in his care.”

Hasbro Children’s is a regional leader in pediatric cancer research, with more than 70 active clinical trials and access to promising therapies like naxitamab for children with neuroblastoma. It’s also home to one of the strongest psychosocial support teams in the country and the only center in the region offering a 30-day post–stem cell transplant transition model.

Today, Owen is seven years old, back in school, back outside—and back on the ice.

His story is a testament to the power of advanced care, compassionate support, and the generosity of donors who make it all possible.

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