Ollie’s Story
At two years old, Oliver was diagnosed with a rare liver cancer. Today he is a thriving first grader who loves sports, art and living life to the fullest. His journey is one of faith, strength, and gratitude and a reminder to never take a single day for granted.
A journey of strength and gratitude
Our family’s journey taught me a lot of life lessons.
In October 2021, Jennifer and Brian Geen took their two-year-old son, Ollie to Urgent Care for a persistent belly ache. Within 24 hours, after a plethora of tests, the Geen family would be told the unimaginable—their otherwise healthy boy had a 13cm cancerous tumor—hepatoblastoma. Hepatoblastoma is very rare but treated with chemotherapy and/or a liver resection/transplant. They would be admitted to the children’s oncology ward at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital immediately for Ollie to start treatment. It was the start of a completely new life—“before and after” says Jennifer. In so many ways, what we experienced with Ollie has made us rethink how we approach and “do life”. That is a gift—to live life with purposeful intention. The focus on intention is what lead Jennifer to share Ollie’s story.
A story to illuminate and inspire
The intent in sharing our story is that you gain perspective into finding ways each day—through the good and bad, happy and sad, anxious and productive—to find a spot to create and hold on to hope. To always choose to chase the light, to stand in it, whatever “light” means to you. Let it illuminate you in both big and small ways. “I also chose to share Oliver’s story so that one day, when and if he wants, he can read the details of his brave story of survival. By the grace of God, Ollie remembers very little about his actual cancer treatment and the experience I share here in this book.”
About Ollie
As a six-year-old cancer survivor, Oliver Geen has lived a unique set of life experiences. When you ask him what he remembers about the experience, he doesn’t remember much about it. He knows that now he goes to Cardinal Glennon a few times a year for tests—like blood draws and ultrasounds. He knows that he is told he is one of the strongest boys. He knows that he helps the Cardinal Glennon Foundation and because of that, people sometimes recognize him from mailers, billboards or news articles or videos. He knows that each night we thank God for his health. He also knows that we live life like no day is given to us.
Oliver is now in 1st grade at Saint Catherine Laboure School. He loves being active—riding his bike, swimming, soccer, baseball and basketball. He is not shy—telling people he is a “big eater, big talker.” His personality is expansive, and he is so very creative with art. When I share with people Ollie’s journey, they are always in disbelief. You would never know the path this kid has endured. I always get questions and more questions. About him, about me, about our family. How did find out? How did we manage? How is he now? This is in part why I felt called to further share his inspirational story.
Giving Back
We proudly donate a portion of proceeds to the organizations that have supported us and countless families.
Our Impact
Our goal is to donate $125,000 to children’s hospitals and cancer research.
of book proceeds directed toward Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
families supported through outreach and donations
About Me
Equal parts storyteller, speaker, light chaster, proud boy mom
Jennifer Geen, author of Always Chase the Light and founder of Graylight Collective, turns life’s hardest moments into hope. Through her work, she creates spaces where people feel seen, connected, and inspired to carry light forward.
About the Book
We proudly donate a portion of proceeds to the organizations that have supported us and countless families.
A journey through shadows toward the brightest light.
Always Chase the Light is the true story of a mother facing her son’s cancer diagnosis while reckoning with the loss of her own mother. It’s a journey of grief, faith and resilience that encourages readers to seek light and joy even in life’s hardest seasons.
Collaboration Invitation
Your light belongs here.
Let’s grow the glow.
Do you have a project that aligns with our mission that you have imagined, started or need help getting across the finish line? Find a time to discuss your ideas with Jennifer to see how Graylight may be able to help.
Do you want to book Jen to speak at an Event or Workshop?
