I scrolled through my phone, pausing on each photo his parents sent me.
In every single one, he was smiling — not just a small grin, but a wide, glowing smile that seemed to light up the world around him.

Three-year-old Bowen Askew has a smile that could melt even the hardest heart.
He radiates joy, even in the darkest of places.

Bowen is from Dallas, Georgia.
He loves Peppa Pig and scooters, builds towers out of Magna Blocks, and plays Yahtzee with his family — even if he doesn’t quite understand how the scoring works.

He loves his parents, Josh and Kellie, and adores his big brothers, Davis and Cooper.
Together, they’re the heartbeat of a family that has learned what it truly means to fight for love, for faith, and for life.

Just a few months ago, in June 2025, Bowen’s world — and theirs — changed.
Kellie, a NICU nurse, noticed something wasn’t right.
Bowen was unusually tired, and his pulse was faint.

Trusting her instincts, she and Josh rushed him to Children’s Health Care of Atlanta.
Within hours, their lives were turned upside down.

Doctors found a large tumor in Bowen’s brain.

The diagnosis was devastating — Choroid Plexus Carcinoma, a rare and aggressive brain cancer that affects less than one percent of all cases.

In that moment, time seemed to stop.

No parent is ever prepared to hear the words “your child has cancer.”
For Josh, the fear was unbearable.
“I lost it,” he said softly. “I thought we might lose him.”

Bowen underwent a nine-hour surgery to remove the tumor.
Nine hours — for a three-year-old boy who still loved cartoons, bedtime stories, and afternoon cuddles.
Doctors worked tirelessly, and when he finally woke up in the PICU, his parents held his tiny hand and prayed for a miracle.

A week later, Bowen was able to go home.
And he smiled.

But just two days later, complications struck again.
An infection developed inside his skull, forcing doctors to remove part of it and begin intense antibiotic treatments.

Through it all — through pain, fatigue, and fear — Bowen kept smiling.

His optimism never wavered.
He didn’t understand the word “cancer.”
He just knew that he was loved.

A few weeks after surgery, the Askew family made the long journey to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
There, doctors offered hope — a better chance of survival and a plan tailored just for Bowen.

Chemotherapy began, but they decided to avoid radiation, protecting his developing body as much as possible.

Now, months later, Bowen is in his fourth month of hospitalization.
He’s nearing the end of his third round of chemotherapy.

Kellie shares updates with courage and grace, her voice steady even when her heart trembles.
“We had hoped to start his fourth cycle next week,” she said. “But after multiple transfusions, we need to see his bone marrow recover first. His numbers need to be strong enough before we continue.”

Every day at St. Jude is a new challenge — blood tests, medications, long nights, and the constant rhythm of machines.
But every morning, Bowen wakes up with that same dazzling smile.

He plays with his toys, waves at the nurses, and fills the hospital halls with laughter.
His room is covered with drawings and photos — Peppa Pig stickers, colorful blocks, and cards from family back home.

“Bowen’s radiant smiles and playful personality have earned him the sweetest reputation with friends, doctors, and nurses here,” Kellie said.
It’s no surprise.
Even in pain, Bowen radiates hope.
His laughter is contagious — proof that joy can exist even in the hardest battles.

Josh and Kellie hold on to that light.
“This is not the journey we expected to face,” Kellie admits.
“But we know it has a purpose. We’ve learned that even through suffering, we can inspire others to find strength and happiness in the midst of hardship.”

They’ve been away from home for months now.
Their two older sons, Davis and Cooper, wait eagerly for their little brother’s return.
The family dreams of the day Bowen can come home — when the hospital gown will be replaced by superhero pajamas, and the sterile hospital air will give way to the scent of home.

No one knows exactly when that day will come.
But one thing is certain — when Bowen returns, the reunion will be filled with laughter, hugs, and the sound of scooter wheels against the driveway.
Peppa Pig will play on the TV, Yahtzee dice will roll across the floor, and Bowen’s bright smile will shine brighter than ever.

Through every setback, every moment of fear, and every tear, Bowen’s spirit has reminded everyone — doctors, nurses, and strangers alike — that hope is stronger than pain.
And love, when shared, becomes the most powerful medicine of all.

For now, the Askew family continues this journey one day at a time.
They pray, they laugh, they cry, and above all, they believe.
Because behind every hospital door and under every blanket of uncertainty, there’s a little boy who refuses to stop smiling.
And that smile — that light — continues to touch hearts far beyond the walls of St. Jude.

Bowen’s story is one of courage, faith, and the kind of love that refuses to give up.
He reminds us all that even the smallest souls can fight the biggest battles — and win them with a smile.

Please keep Bowen, his parents Josh and Kellie, and his brothers Davis and Cooper in your thoughts and prayers. 💛