Owen David Pitts was a beloved Medical Lake High School student, basketball player, brother, and son who began his first battle with cancer early in life. At just 5 years old, he was diagnosed with leukemia, and in their best effort to save his life, his parents chose to have him treated with radiation.
Three years later, successful radiation treatments allowed Owen to spend much of his childhood and adolescence cancer-free. While an adverse effect of radiation reduced his cognitive abilities, support from his parents and siblings helped him continue to thrive.
As a teenager, Owen found pure joy through his involvement in sports and activities at Medical Lake High School. He especially loved basketball and dreamt of playing alongside the varsity team.
However, during Owen’s senior year, his health took a turn for the worse. Frequent headaches alerted his family that something was wrong — due to Owen’s unique genetic makeup, the treatments that once extended his life had caused him to develop life-threatening brain tumors. He was given only three to six months to live.
His school community immediately rallied around him to ensure his remaining days were unforgettable. One evening, family, friends, and peers filled the Medical Lake High School gym to cheer Owen on as he fulfilled his dream of starting on the varsity basketball team. On the same court, he was also given the chance to dress in his cap and gown to receive his diploma.
In March 2026, shortly after Owen’s passing, his parents Jason and Rachel established an endowment at Innovia to keep his legacy alive and provide continued support to the Medical Lake basketball program.
The Medical Lake community, school, and basketball program gave Owen an incredible experience and a place to thrive. Owen was generous in the way he gave to others, and he loved being part of something bigger than himself. We created this fund to carry that forward and to give future players the same sense of belonging, support, and purpose that meant so much to him.”
