Owasso teen traveling the world to help raise cancer awareness for birthday

OWASSO, Okla. (KOKI) — Seventeen year old, Ethan Lane from Owasso, has down syndrome but was diagnosed with leukemia when he was fifteen.

His mom, Arlynda, says his birthday was in April but hasn’t had a party since he turned 15 because of treatments and the pandemic.

This year, she wanted to make it special.

She thought about a flat party where family members make flat pictures of themselves for Ethan’s 17th birthday party. Instead, she sent flat Ethan’s out.

“It kind of took off from there,” said Arlynda.

Well, it took off. Literally. Strangers picked up on it and started receiving ‘Flat Ethan’ all over the world.

Ethan has now been to 36 states, Italy, Africa and more.

Arlynda says she is hoping ‘Flat Ethan’ tells his story and brings awareness to childhood cancer research.

Ethan loves space so they contacted Inspiration4, an all civilian space expedition that helps raise money for St. Jude and now ‘Flat Ethan’ is going to space.

For their mission in October, Inspiration4 is trying to raise $200 million for childhood cancer.

Arlynda has started a fundraiser through St. Jude to help raise some of the money too.

To get a ‘Flat Ethan’ go to Where Flat Ethan Goes on Facebook or to donate go to inspiration4.com.

©2021 Cox Media Group