Family's Fight Against Childhood Cancer Inspires Awareness

Rowan Olson's successful treatment for retinoblastoma highlights medical advancements and the importance of early detection.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:22am

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A translucent, ghostly X-ray photograph of a child's eye, revealing the intricate structures and details of the retina and optic nerve in a glowing, ethereal manner, conceptually representing the delicate and complex nature of the human eye.A family's fight against a rare childhood eye cancer inspires hope and awareness through their son's successful treatment and restored vision.Los Angeles Today

A family's journey battling retinoblastoma, a rare childhood eye cancer, has inspired them to raise awareness about the disease. Their son, Rowan, was diagnosed with the cancer in both eyes shortly after birth in 2025 and underwent months of specialized treatment at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, including chemotherapy and laser treatments. Doctors were able to save Rowan's vision thanks to groundbreaking technology like a liquid biopsy test. Rowan's father, Jake Olson, had previously lost his own vision to the same rare cancer and is now grateful his son was able to receive earlier intervention and better outcomes.

Why it matters

Retinoblastoma is a rare but serious form of childhood cancer that requires prompt detection and treatment. This family's story highlights the progress made in medical care for this disease, as well as the importance of early screening and awareness so parents can identify warning signs quickly.

The details

Rowan Olson was diagnosed with retinoblastoma in both eyes just days after he was born in January 2025. To receive specialized treatment, the family traveled from Florida to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where Rowan underwent months of chemotherapy and laser treatments. Doctors were able to utilize new technologies like a liquid biopsy test to determine the cancer's activity and save Rowan's vision. This was especially meaningful since Rowan's father, Jake Olson, had lost his own vision to the same rare cancer when he was younger.

  • Rowan Olson was diagnosed with retinoblastoma in January 2025, just days after he was born.
  • Rowan underwent months of chemotherapy and laser treatments at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
  • Rowan recently rang the bell at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, marking the end of his cancer treatment.

The players

Rowan Olson

An infant who was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare childhood eye cancer, shortly after birth and successfully underwent treatment to save his vision.

Jake Olson

Rowan's father, who had previously lost his own vision to retinoblastoma when he was younger, but whose son was able to receive earlier intervention and better outcomes thanks to medical advancements.

Dr. Rima Jubran

A doctor at Children's Hospital Los Angeles who treated both Jake Olson and his son Rowan for retinoblastoma, demonstrating the progress made in treating this rare childhood cancer.

Dr. Jesse Berry

A doctor at Children's Hospital Los Angeles who treated Rowan Olson and received a text from Jake Olson expressing joy at his son's restored vision.

Children's Hospital Los Angeles

The medical facility where Rowan Olson received specialized treatment for his retinoblastoma, including groundbreaking technologies like a liquid biopsy test.

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What they’re saying

“It was just devastating to realize that he's going to have to go through some of the things I went through.”

— Jake Olson, Rowan's father

“I really do hope he takes in every second of his life appreciating the gift he has of eyesight.”

— Jake Olson, Rowan's father

“His dad, Jake, texted me and said, you know Rowan's looking out the plane window and he's looking at the other planes and it brings them a lot of joy to see that their son has vision.”

— Dr. Jesse Berry, Doctor at Children's Hospital Los Angeles

What’s next

Doctors stress that early detection of retinoblastoma is critical, and parents should have their child's eyes checked immediately if they notice any warning signs like a white pupil or abnormal eye movement. For more information, readers can visit the Children's Hospital Los Angeles website.

The takeaway

This family's journey highlights the remarkable progress made in treating childhood retinoblastoma, a rare but serious form of eye cancer. Their story emphasizes the importance of early detection and specialized care, as well as the profound impact that medical advancements can have on restoring vision and improving outcomes for young patients.