Overland Park boy battling kidney disease gets wish granted

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — A young boy’s wish granted, allowing him to play inside his Overland Park home since he can’t always go to the park.

Owen Cigich has battled cancer and kidney disease. He’s still waiting on a life-saving transplant. But a group of people are coming together to make sure he still gets to do what he loves most, play.

FOX4 spoke with Owen’s family earlier this year when they shared they’re looking for a kidney donor for Owen . As the search continues, Make-A-Wish and Victory Project with Sporting KC came together to build Owen his own indoor playground.

Owen is holding the fort down at home. It’s his new indoor playground with a rock climbing wall, slide, tunnels and secret room. His space to play and be a kid.

“His kidneys right now are kind of right there where we might need to start dialysis if we can’t find a donor soon and so keeping him inside in a spot to play and have fun especially when its warm outside is best for him,” Owen’s mom Kathleen Cigich said.

Owen was born with a kidney disease and battled cancer. He’s doing OK now, still cancer free, but still searching for a kidney donor.

However, in this moment, the 7-year-old gets to be just that.

Owen’s wish came true thanks to the Victory Project with Sporting KC, a partnershp with Make-A-Wish.

“Having a nice safe place set inside is really important for him…that was his one true wish and we were happy to be a part of it,” said Victory Project Sporting KC Executive Director Lexie Clark.

Some of the people who helped built the play area were Sporting KC players who know all about team work.

“Most important for me and I think for everybody was to make Owen feel happy and I think mission was accomplished,” said Sporting KC’s Zorhan Bassong.

The years of planning, making sure everything was perfect for Owen, paid off, when he got to be the center of attention for good reason.

“It’s not a hospital visit it’s having these famous soccer players as he calls it and all these people here just doing something to make his life easier,” Kathleen said.

The family is still searching for a kidney donor. They’re looking for someone between 18 to 50 type O blood and healthy. They’re working with KU Health Systems. If you are able to help, call (913) 588-1227 and mention you are interested in being a possible kidney donor for Owen Cigich.

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