Kids to Know: Omar Germany

Cancer. It was a word the Germanys never expected to hear when they brought their 12-year-old son to a medical professional for answers about a mass growing in his cheek.

In 2020, Omar Jr. was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare childhood cancer. With great fortitude and unwavering faith, Omar began a lengthy fight with his family by his side at a time in history that was already increasingly difficult and uncertain for people around the world.

Driven by a purpose to raise awareness for childhood cancer and inspire others to confront their adversities with strength and hope, Omar overcame his diagnosis and marked the end of his battle with a celebratory ringing of the bell. His story serves as a beacon of light, a promise of God’s faithfulness, and a testimony of the resiliency of this next generation of leaders.

Tell us about yourself.

Omar Germany: I am 16 years old. I like art, playing football, playing basketball and playing video games. I would describe myself as adventurous.

How did life become different for you that year?

Omar Germany: My life changed a lot. I couldn’t play football or basketball, which are the sports that I love the most. I was also tired for a short period of time after every treatment, and I lost a lot of weight.

Describe what you did to bring awareness to your battle. What did you hope this would accomplish?

Omar Germany: I started a YouTube channel to bring awareness to the situation with the hope of letting people see my journey so that it could help others and raise awareness that cancer isn’t just in adults, but in kids too. Especially normal healthy kids.

In what ways did you feel most supported during this time?

Omar Germany: My family helped me tremendously. They were there through thick and thin, and always by my side. My dad took me to almost every treatment and afterward, we’d go out to lunch or to a local food truck. It actually made me look forward to treatment days because once it was over, I knew we were headed to spend father/ son time together. My mom and my sisters helped me a lot as well. My family grew closer together throughout my treatments.

Now, what is life like post-diagnosis? What do you have to do to keep up with your medical history, and how are things different from before the diagnosis?

Omar Germany: Life is cool. I get the freedom to hang out with my friends and go places without being so tired all the time. I have to get a routine check-up and lab work every six months, but overall life is a lot better.

What do you hope other kids can learn from your story?

Omar Germany: I hope that other kids are inspired by my story and can learn to persevere through any illness or difficulty. I recently had a scare of the tumor returning, and through that entire testing process, I wasn’t afraid to go through treatment again because I knew that I had already overcome it. Although I never want to go through something like this again, I am not afraid.

What do you enjoy doing most outside of school?

Omar Germany: I enjoy playing football. It’s been my passion since I was a little kid (like 2 years old).

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Omar Germany: I want to play football or do something related to the sport like journalism or commentating.

What is your favorite thing to do in Tampa with your family?

Omar Germany: Go out to eat! My family and I are true foodies, so most of our family time is spent eating out. We own a catering business, so for us, food is love.

Originally published in the June 2024 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.