Corey Chambers Real Estate Newsletter September 2026

Your referrals help the kids! Visit entar.com/kids

A few corrections in advance on this newsletter that is in a block mode that will not let me edit it much. Correct phone is 213-880-9910 and correct referral web page is entar.com/kids — Corey Chambers, Broker DRE#01889449 This is an old patient story that I was not able to update today. Will get you a new patient story for the October issue!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞

What NOT To Do After Labor Day — Let’s Reflect

Redefining Labor Day — Labor Day has often been a day of rest, but given the current climate of stagflation, high-interest taxes, and union strikes, this year it serves as a call to reflection more than relaxation. You might be among those who are feeling the pinch and questioning what the future holds when it comes to homeownership or selling. I understand the complexity of the decision you’re facing, and it’s why I’m dedicating myself more than ever to guide you through these unpredictable times.

You’ve probably heard that you should not wear white after Labor Day. Here’s the Top 10 List of what else NOT to do after Labor Day:

Don’t Ignore Year-End Real Estate Trends: Avoid neglecting the fall real estate market. This is when many serious buyers and sellers enter the market. Waiting too long to list or invest could mean missing out on valuable opportunities.
Don’t Overlook Tax-Advantageous Real Estate Moves: Failing to take advantage of 1031 exchanges or other tax-saving strategies before the end of the year can result in higher capital gains taxes on real estate investments.
Don’t Neglect Season-Specific Real Estate Maintenance: For homeowners and investors in California, ignoring critical fall home maintenance tasks like roof repairs and gutter cleaning can lead to bigger problems in the rainy season.
Don’t Delay Tech Upgrades for Your Business: Many companies offer post-Labor Day discounts on technology and software. Waiting too long could result in paying full price for upgrades to your systems, especially when preparing for holiday or year-end demands.
Don’t Ignore California’s Drought Season Regulations: After Labor Day, some areas in California may enforce stricter water usage rules. Avoid non-compliance by staying up to date on local regulations affecting your property or real estate investments.
Don’t Let Summer Vacation Mode Affect Your Investment Strategy: Keep focused on your year-end financial goals. Neglecting your investment portfolio after Labor Day could mean missing out on critical market movements, especially in sectors like technology and real estate.
Don’t Wait to Prepare for Wildfire Season: If you own property in California, ensure you have defensible space around your home and that you’ve completed fireproofing measures as fall marks the height of wildfire danger.
Don’t Forget to Invest in End-of-Year Technology Stocks: Certain technology sectors, such as cybersecurity or e-commerce, may see spikes in activity toward the end of the year. Avoid waiting until it’s too late to adjust your tech-related investment portfolio.
Don’t Ignore Weather-Related Real Estate Trends: After Labor Day, California’s weather begins to shift. Ignoring this could be costly if you’re trying to sell a property in a market where weather significantly impacts buyer behavior.
Don’t Miss Real Estate Conferences and Networking: Fall is often packed with important real estate and investment conferences. Missing these events can result in lost opportunities to network and gain insights into the latest trends. Here’s a couple bonus items:
Don’t Neglect End-of-Year Planning for Your Tech Business: For technology entrepreneurs, failing to plan ahead for end-of-year taxes, new product launches, or business expansion post-Labor Day can lead to missed opportunities or higher costs.
Don’t Dismiss Seasonal Shifts in California Agriculture Investments: Agriculture investments in California often slow down post-Labor Day due to the changing growing seasons. Avoid over-investing in crops or sectors that may not perform as well during the fall and winter months.

These are strategies to help you stay ahead in real estate, technology, investment, and California-specific activities after Labor Day!

Life throws us into seasons—some of comfort, others of challenge. The one we’re in now can feel like an economic winter, but as we both know, seasons are temporary. What remains constant is our ability to navigate them, learn from them, and emerge more resilient. #CoreyChambers

This is where you come in…

For September, if you or anyone you know is considering making a move to a new home, we will GUARANTEE a minimum of $10,000 Savings for every $200,000 in sales price on the home purchase, or I will pay the difference*. You read it correctly – my labor saves you, and those you know considering making a move, a nice chunk of change. The reason why I can make such a special offer is simply that our long track record of selling homes and specialized knowledge allow us to negotiate the best deal on the best home for our best clients. #realestate #newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE:

AFTER LABOR DAY
How Your Referrals Help Kids
And Much More #realestate #newsletter

Even if YOU are not moving, you can still benefit

Each month in my special California Home Newsletter, I ask, “Who do you know that may be considering a move?”

This is because YOUR referrals help the kids…

Anyone you know considering making a move or wanting to buy or sell their home, please refer them to me without hesitation. They will receive the guarantee I detailed above, and you can rest assured your referrals will help the kids at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

With a guarantee like this, you, your friends, neighbors, work associates, and family members who may be considering a move can now do so and avoid the uncertainties in the marketplace.

If you missed last month’s California Home Newsletter, we are on a mission to raise $25,000 for the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Helping Hands Fund, so we are donating a good portion of our income from home sales to them. As you know, Children’s does a tremendous job of helping kids fight through and survive nasty life-threatening diseases like Cancers, Leukemia, and non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: stuff that often robs young people’s lives.

Kids under their care are 300% more likely to enter into remission IF they can get into the recovery center. But the Recovery Center survives on Sponsorships and Donations. So YOUR REFERRALS REALLY DO HELP THE KIDS…

Who do you know considering buying or selling a home you could refer to my real estate sales team?

Not only will they benefit from our award-winning service, but we donate a substantial portion of our income on every home sale to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Helping Hands Fund.

Your Referrals Really Do Help the Kids…

I want to make it easy to refer your friends, neighbors, associates, or family members considering making a move.

You can go to www.ReferralsHelpKids.com and enter their contact info online or forward the link to who you know considering a move.

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Over the last two decades of helping thousands of families sell their homes and/or buy another, we have met some wonderful, loving, caring people. People like you! So your referrals, those you know considering a move, that we help – you can rest assured that not only will they get the award-winning service we are known for and the guarantee to back it up, but that a solid portion of the income we receive from the transaction will go toward a very worthy cause.

It’s easy to refer your friends, neighbors, associates, or family members considering making a move. Simply go to www.ReferralsHelpKids.com, or, of course, you can always call me directly at 213-880-9910.

I hope you and your family are well and this Independence Day brings you much joy and happiness. With all my appreciation.

Corey Chambers, Broker 888-240-2500

P.S. We love honoring our past clients like you. Read all about that at www.ReferralsHelpKids.com

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It’s easy to refer those you know considering buying or selling a home. You can go to www.ReferralsHelpKids.com and enter their contact info online or forward the link to who you know considering a move. You can also call me direct or pass my number on 213-880-9910.

Why I Support Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles

I grew up right here in Los Angeles. Born right nearby at St. Francis Hospital. I remember hearing about a young person close to our family suffering from a nasty disease and getting treated for that at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Then, I began to pay more immediate attention to their work at that hospital. Since then, I have learned that it is a collection of hard-working health care professionals, most making their homes right here in the Los Angeles area, all coming together for a common cause. That cause is to help young people overcome unfortunate health issues that life sometimes throws our way. Being a Los Angeles area, California native, I take pride in supporting in any way that I can the good work these people do at Children’s. My team rallies around our annual goal of raising money and donating portions of our income to help Children in their quest to heal young people when they need healing. My team and I are committed to providing outstanding results for buyers and sellers referred to us by our past clients. I have discovered that Children’s Hospital Los Angeles shares similar commitments to its patients. And since their services survive sponsorships and donations, we are happy to contribute and proud to support them.

Sincerely,

Corey Chambers 213-880-9910

Below is the story of a young patient whose life was turned around by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOUR HOME IS WORTH, FREE ONLINE AT HomeEvals.com

Upgraded Chemo Propels Luca’s Fight Against Rare Kidney Cancer

by Jeff Weinstock

Diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma, the toddler is now free of disease, with his odds of survival better than ever before.

“Not even in a million years did I think this was going to be our story,” Jianine says, backing up to Sunday morning, Sept. 24, 2023, when Luca woke up with his usual heavy diaper. But this time it was soaked in dark red blood.

She was startled but not panicked. “He looked like the picture of health,” she says. “He wasn’t pale. He wasn’t sick. Not nauseous. I was thinking ‘Maybe he has a UTI.’”

Urgent care couldn’t accommodate her, so a pediatric nurse friend advised Jianine to take Luca to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “Go to CHLA,” the friend said. “Whatever’s going on with him, they’ll know what to do.”

At CHLA’s Emergency Department, a urine sample led to a kidney ultrasound, and then a retreat to a patient room to await the results. This turned out to be the last pause before “the moment that our universe was cracked open,” Jianine says, which would take Luca and family on a journey through multiple CHLA specialists providing the highest level of pediatric care available.

When two doctors entered to deliver the results, Jianine felt a flash of dread. That’s not what tipped her off, but rather the presence of a third person—a Child Life specialist who offered to occupy Jianine’s 7-year-old daughter, Livia, while the doctors and the family talked. “I’m like, ‘Oh no, this is not good,’” Jianine says.

She and her husband, Clark, were told that Luca had a mass on his right kidney the size of a grapefruit.

“I looked at my husband,” Jianine says, “and this was the last time he and I made eye contact for about eight days because every time we looked at each other, we would just cry.”

The doctors returned in the morning with word that a CT scan revealed the mass was malignant.

“One of them asked me, ‘What do you know about cancer?’” Jianine recalls. “I said, ‘Death.’ She goes, ‘OK, you know the TV movie version of it. I’m going to explain to you what it is here.’”

The doctor proceeded to describe the differences between pediatric and adult cancer, the resilience of children, and their greater success rate.

A surprise finding

Imaging done on the mass showed it was cancerous, and the initial expectation was that it was a Wilms tumor, the most common pediatric kidney cancer.

“About 95% of kidney cancers in kids Luca’s age are Wilms tumors,” says Rebecca Parker, MD, the CHLA oncologist who took on Luca’s case. “So that’s why it comes to our mind first.”

Dr. Parker sent Luca for a biopsy to single out the nature of the cancer, and the results produced a surprise. Molecular testing performed by CHLA’s Center for Personalized Medicine identified the tumor as a clear cell sarcoma, a much rarer renal cancer.

Scans revealed the tumor ran beyond the kidney and into the veins that connect the organ to the vena cava, a valve that sends blood from the abdomen back to the heart. Importantly, though, the portion that extended outside the kidney was not a separate tumor, which would have indicated spread. It was all one mass. Tests found no tumors elsewhere.

“We looked at his bones, at his brain, where clear cell sarcoma likes to hide,” Dr. Parker says. “We looked at his lungs. All of that was clear.”

The finding kept the cancer’s designation at Stage 3 rather than Stage 4, allowing for a much brighter prognosis. In retrospect, the friend who urged Jianine to take Luca to the Emergency Department at CHLA, where he could be hustled right into treatment, may have given her lifesaving advice.

“The family took him to the ER at the exact right time,” Dr. Parker says. “In the grand scheme of things, we caught his tumor pretty early.”

From less likely to likely

The extra piece of tumor that grew into the vena cava presented a problem, however, as it would complicate the job of the surgeon who had to excise it, James Stein, MD, MSc, FACS, FAAP, CHLA’s Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer.

“Any time we have to open the vena cava, it makes the surgery more challenging,” Dr. Stein says. “You have to control all the blood vessels entering the vessel from below and from above.”

Dr. Parker and Dr. Stein agreed on giving Luca 12 weeks of chemotherapy in hopes of shrinking the tumor down so it all resided within the margins of the kidney, before going in to remove it. The chemo regimen was enhanced by two additional medications, doxorubicin and

cyclophosphamide. Over the past three decades, Dr. Parker says pediatric oncologists have learned that treating clear cell sarcoma with this more aggressive protocol has caused the disease’s five-year survival rate, formerly less than 2 in 5, to rise to 4 in 5—meaning, from less likely to likely.

The effort to kill off the excess segment of the tumor that reached past the kidney was partially successful. The chemo vanquished some, but not all of it.

“It shrunk back down lower in the vena cava, making the extent of the tumor significantly less,” Dr. Stein says. “It made the surgery more straightforward. Originally, it had extended well up the vena cava toward the heart.”

During the operation, performed in January, Dr. Stein removed Luca’s entire right kidney, which was consumed by cancer, along with the small portion of the mass that fell outside it.

Dr. Parker assured the family that Luca could make do with one kidney—and even less. “You need one half of one kidney, and you can still live a normal life,” she said.

After the procedure, Luca’s chemotherapy resumed. Jianine found comfort in a study on clear cell sarcoma that she arrived at via Google—despite Dr. Parker’s request that she not search the internet, but instead to come to her with any questions. Jianine kept to the resolution for several months but finally weakened and “got led astray,” she says.

Fortunately, this was an instance of productive Googling. The report noted the dramatic rise in the survival rate of clear cell sarcoma patients since the introduction of the upgraded chemo regimen that Dr. Parker had implemented with Luca.

A hopeful Jianine brought the article to the doctor, prefaced by an apology: “I went to her immediately and said, ‘I made a big mistake and I’ll never do it again, but I went on Google.’”

Dr. Parker confirmed the information was right: The five-year survival rate of kids with clear cell sarcoma had risen from 30% to roughly 80%.

Once Luca gets to five years out from treatment with no relapse, the risk of the disease returning drops substantially.

“I wouldn’t say it’s zero,” Dr. Parker says, “but it’s very, very low.”

Shifting perspectives

When his treatment ended, Luca had two of the traditional bell-ringing ceremonies—one on April 26, his last day of chemo– Opens in a new window, and then another on May 20, after scans of his brain, bones and abdomen showed no indication of disease.

“We looked all over his body to make sure there wasn’t any cancer left hiding anywhere,” Dr. Parker says.

The bell ringing isn’t a permanent trumpeting of all clear. It’s an expression of joyful triumph that marks an end to the darkest phase of treatment. Luca’s care will continue. Now 2 years old, he will be scanned regularly for five years forward, and with each clean report the probability of a recurrence decreases.

Meanwhile, Jianine is again managing a shift in her outlook. When she first heard the diagnosis and told the doctor that she equated cancer with death, she would try fiercely to shut out the thought.

“Of course, you go there in your head,” she says. “You don’t want to say it out loud. You’re like, ‘No, we’re going to stay positive.’”

For Luca’s sake, she had to quickly get over her despair, realizing it wasn’t serving her son any.

“For three days, I was like, ‘This is not happening. I am not built for this. I can’t do this.’ Then by the fourth day, I thought, ‘You know what? There’s no mom that goes, “I’m strong. My kid gets cancer—I got it.”’ This happens to you and you realize you have no choice. You are their advocate. You have to get them through this thing. Why are we going to get through it? Because we have no choice. We will because we have to.”

Now Jianine is navigating another transition, from ferocious mother determined to save her son, to responsible mother mindful of not smothering him with her fears.

“I was hesitant signing him up for school in August,” she says. “I wanted to plan a trip for us to go to San Diego, to SeaWorld. But I thought maybe I shouldn’t because the next scan is in August. Then I thought, ‘Why am I doing that? Why am I holding him back from life?’

“I emailed the school and told them to send over the enrollment forms. I want to have great memories and photos from a trip to Sea World. I switched gears. Let’s live life and move on.”

Learn more about the Cancer and Blood Disease Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

— Story and photos courtesy Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

How you can help:

Refer your friends, neighbors, associates or family members who are considering making a move:

www.ReferralsHelpKids.com or call Corey at 213-880-9910

Copyright © This free information provided courtesy L.A. Loft Blog with information provided by Corey Chambers, Broker DRE 01889449. We are not associated with the seller, homeowner’s association or developer. For more information, contact 213-880-9910 or visit LALoftBlog.com Licensed in California. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Text and photos created or modified by artificial intelligence. Properties subject to prior sale or rental. This is not a solicitation if buyer or seller is already under contract with another broker.

May 6, 2026

Corey Chambers Real Estate Newsletter May 2026

A Mother’s Gift: The Foundation for a Lifelong Passion in Writing

Every mother has her unique way of guiding and teaching her children. My mother was no exception. She was instrumental in teaching me to read and write even before I started my formal education. Her nurturing and guidance have made me who I am today: a passionate writer and the proud author of the L.A. Loft Blog and Entar.com. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, I want to share my story as a tribute to my mother and all the amazing moms out there who shape their children’s lives in profound ways.

The Wise Woman and Her Free-Range Approach

My mother was not the type to constantly instruct me on what to do or not to do. Instead, she was more of a free-range mom who believed in giving me space to learn and grow at my own pace. She offered valuable advice when needed, and time has revealed that she was, indeed, a wise woman. Her approach allowed me to develop a strong sense of independence and curiosity, which later translated into my passion for reading and writing.

The California Home

The Gift of Reading and Writing

Before I even set foot in my first grade classroom, my mother had already taught me to read and write at a third-grade level. She recognized the importance of a strong foundation in literacy and spent countless hours nurturing my abilities. This early start in my education not only made me feel confident and ready for school but also sparked a love for reading and writing that has stayed with me throughout my life.

The L.A. Loft Blog: A Testament to a Mother’s Love

In addition to Loft Blog readers, friends and clients, my mother’s guidance and support led to my success. Her belief in me and her dedication to my education laid the groundwork for my passion for writing. This Mother’s Day, I want to acknowledge her impact on my life and express my gratitude for her unwavering love and support.

A Gift for All Mothers

This Mother’s Day, let’s celebrate the wisdom, love, and dedication of all mothers, both present and those who are no longer with us. Each mother has her unique way of shaping her children’s lives, and their influence lasts a lifetime. So here’s a heartfelt gift to all moms out there: Buy a home in May, get $5,000 cash from your broker, the Corey Chambers Team, at closing. Happy Mother’s Day!

Though my mother is no longer here, her legacy lives on in my writing and my love for reading. Her wisdom and love have made a lasting impact on my life, and I am forever grateful. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let’s remember to honor and appreciate the incredible women who have made us who we are today. Happy Mother’s Day to all the wise, loving, and dedicated mothers out there. Your impact is immeasurable, and your love knows no bounds.

Corey Chambers Team raising $25,000 for CHLA

Supporting Moms at Children’s Hospital: How Your Real Estate Referrals Can Help Families in Need

There are many ways to make a positive impact on the lives of families with sick children. At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the dedicated staff goes above and beyond to support mothers whose children are fighting for their lives. As we approach Mother’s Day, it’s important to remember that many moms are by their child’s bedside, focusing on their well-being rather than on their own special day. One way you can help these moms and their children is through your real estate referrals. Read on to learn how your referrals can make a difference in the lives of these families.

The Mission: Raising $25,000 for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Our team is on a mission to raise $25,000 for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The funds raised will support the Children’s Recovery Center, where kids battling cancer and other debilitating diseases receive life-saving care. The Recovery Center relies on sponsorships and donations to operate, and your real estate referrals can help ensure that more children have access to this vital resource.

Children receiving care at the Children’s Recovery Center are 300% more likely to enter remission when they can access its services. With your help, we can make a difference in the lives of these young patients and their families.

How Your Referrals Help the Kids

When you refer someone to our real estate sales team, not only do they benefit from our award-winning service, but we also donate a substantial portion of our income from every home sale to Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. This means that your referrals directly contribute to the well-being of children in need.

How to Make a Referral

Referring someone is easy. Just visit entar.com/kids or call us directly at 213-880-9910. You can rest assured that your referrals will receive excellent service, as well as our exclusive guarantees:

Home Sellers: We will sell your home at your price, or we’ll buy it ourselves.*
Home Buyers: If you are not completely satisfied with your home within 24 months of purchase, we will buy it back or sell it for free, your choice.*

Why Your Referrals Matter

Your referrals not only help us provide top-notch real estate services, but they also support a worthy cause. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles relies on the generosity of people like you to continue its life-saving work.

As we honor mothers this month, let’s not forget the moms who are fighting for their children’s lives. Your referrals can make a difference for these families and help Children’s Hospital continue its vital mission.

*Conditions apply. Please inquire for details.

A Lifelong Connection: Why I Support Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) is a beacon of hope for countless families in need of specialized care for their children. As a native of the Greater Los Angeles Area, I have always felt a deep connection to this incredible institution and its mission. In this article, I will share my personal story of why I support Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and how my team and I work together to contribute to their cause.

A Personal Connection to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

We are grateful for your support in our effort to raise $25,000 for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. By referring friends, family, and associates to our real estate sales team, you’re not only helping them find their dream home, but you’re also giving back to a meaningful cause. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children and their families. Visit www.ReferralsHelpKids.com or call us at 213-880-9910 to make a referral today.

Growing up in the Greater Los Angeles Area, I was born in Los Angeles County at St. Francis Hospital. My connection to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles began when a young person close to our family suffered from a severe illness and received treatment at CHLA. This experience opened my eyes to the vital work carried out by the dedicated healthcare professionals at the hospital. As a result, I felt compelled to contribute to their mission in any way possible.

The Common Cause: Healing Young Lives

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles brings together hard-working healthcare professionals from the Los Angeles area, united by a common cause – to help young people overcome the health challenges life sometimes presents. As a native of the area, I take immense pride in supporting the incredible work carried out by the CHLA team. My team and I have made it our annual goal to raise money and donate a portion of our income to help CHLA in their quest to heal young people when they need it the most.

Our Commitment to Supporting CHLA

My team and I are dedicated to providing outstanding results for buyers and sellers referred to us by our past clients. We have found that Children’s Hospital Los Angeles shares a similar commitment to their patients. Since their services rely on sponsorships and donations, we are delighted to contribute and proud to support their life-changing work.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is an institution that has touched the lives of countless families in the Greater Los Angeles Area. My personal connection to CHLA has inspired me and my team to support their mission in any way we can. By raising funds and donating a portion of our income, we aim to contribute to the incredible work they do to heal young lives. Together, we can make a difference and help CHLA continue to provide hope and healing to those who need it the most.

20 Years After Facing Retinoblastoma, a Father Fights for His Son’s Sight

As a child, Jake Olson lost both his eyes to retinoblastoma. When his infant son was diagnosed, the family returned to CHLA for leading cancer treatment with a vastly different outlook.

Jake Olson is no stranger to adversity. As a survivor of bilateral retinoblastoma—a rare childhood cancer that took both of his eyes and his sight by age 12—he built a life defined by resilience, going on to become an athlete, motivational speaker, and advocate.

But nothing could prepare him for the news he received in January 2025: His newborn son, Rowan—just 6 days old—had been born with the same eye cancer.

“It was absolutely devastating,” Jake recalls. “We’d been praying he didn’t get the retinoblastoma gene. There was a 50% chance he wouldn’t, but sure enough, he did.”

Fortunately, Jake knew exactly where to turn. He’d received his own cancer treatment at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, one of the leading retinoblastoma centers in the world. It didn’t matter that he and his wife, Audrey, now lived 3,000 miles away in Florida.

Within days, they were on a plane to Los Angeles, headed straight for CHLA.

“There was no other choice in our minds,” Jake says. “We knew we had to come to CHLA for Rowan’s treatment, even if it meant traveling across the country.”

There was no other choice in our minds. We knew we had to come to CHLA for Rowan’s treatment, even if it meant traveling across the country. Jake Olson

There was no other choice in our minds. We knew we had to come to CHLA for Rowan’s treatment, even if it meant traveling across the country. — Jake Olson

A legacy of retinoblastoma innovation

At CHLA, Rowan was seen by an interdisciplinary team of experts from the Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, the Vision Center, and Interventional Radiology.

Using a special camera that shows all the layers of the retina, Jesse Berry, MD, Chief of Ophthalmology and Director of the Retinoblastoma Program, found two tiny, cancerous tumors—one less than a millimeter in size—in both of Rowan’s eyes.

But there was good news, too: Today’s treatments look vastly different from those Jake had as a child.

CHLA has been at the forefront of many of those treatment advances. Under the leadership of the late A. Linn Murphree, MD—Jake’s ophthalmologist as a child—the hospital helped pioneer diagnostic tools and treatment techniques that are now standard practice across the globe. Dr. Murphree also played a pivotal role in identifying the gene mutation linked to retinoblastoma.

Over the past decade, Dr. Berry has continued that legacy, pioneering a groundbreaking liquid biopsy that uses the clear fluid in the front of the eye to detect retinoblastoma.

The test became clinically available in 2024 and not only enables clinicians to more safely and efficiently diagnose the cancer, but also to find key markers that can predict the severity of the disease and help guide treatment.

“What Dr. Murphree implemented and built here, and what Dr. Berry continues to grow, is the crown jewel of treating retinoblastoma,” Jake reflects. “There truly is no other place I’d rather take Rowan.”

A generational battle

Although Rowan’s tumors were tiny—only a few experts in the world have the capability to detect such early-stage tumors—one of them was particularly risky. It grew next to his optic nerve, an essential link between the eye and the brain.

Fortunately, Rowan’s liquid biopsy didn’t show any aggressive markers that would indicate rapid growth or risk of spreading to other parts of the body.

His oncologist, Rima Jubran, MD, MPH, MACM—who also treated Jake as a child—explains that the father and son are not the first such familial pair CHLA has treated for the rare cancer.

“We see and treat patients with different presentations of retinoblastoma all the time, which is something that very few centers in the country can say,” she notes. “We have a full multidisciplinary team that’s dedicated to this disease.”

Working together, the care team quickly developed a plan. Rowan would receive a combination of systemic and intravitreal chemotherapy as well as targeted laser treatments that aimed to shrink the cancer, stop it from spreading outside the eyes, and preserve Rowan’s vision.

We see and treat patients with different presentations of retinoblastoma all the time, which is something that very few centers in the country can say. We have a full multidisciplinary team that’s dedicated to this disease. — Dr. Rima Jubran

30 years of progress in retinoblastoma care

Jake’s experience couldn’t have been more different than Rowan’s: As an 8-month-old in the 1990s, Jake’s parents noticed a strange “glow” in his left eye. Often the first outward sign of disease, this glow indicates a tumor is already growing behind the pupil.

By the time Jake was seen at CHLA, he had advanced disease with high-risk, difficult-to-treat tumors in both eyes. The best option at that stage was to remove the 8-month-old’s left eye and deliver systemic chemotherapy to treat the cancer in the remaining eye.

Over the next 12 years, Jake went in and out of remission nine times before his care team ultimately made the devastating decision to remove his second eye. Dr. Berry recalls that throughout Dr. Murphree’s life, he cited removing Jake’s second eye as one of the hardest days of his career.

“Rowan will have a significantly different ocular outcome than Jake did,” says Dr. Berry. “He also has such strength in his parents. They understand this disease and can walk through it with him.”

“We like to think that a tough case like Jake’s has helped empower advances in treatment and set Rowan up for this success,” says Rowan’s mom Audrey. “That’s not scientific, but everything regarding Rowan’s care has sort of fallen into place as we’ve gone through this journey.”

A difficult chapter

Throughout 2025, Jake, Audrey, and Rowan made the trip to CHLA nearly every month for monitoring, laser therapy, and systemic chemo, which can often result in extreme nausea, fatigue, bruising, bleeding, and hair loss.

“It’s been very emotional,” Jake says. “Laying in the chemo room with him put me right back there myself. It’s so difficult to watch your baby go through that.”

After six rounds of treatment—six trips from Florida to California and back—Rowan’s care team shared the good news: His tumors had shrunk enough that he’d only need monitoring and local treatment to the eye. No more systemic chemo.

The best part: He’d maintained his vision.

On Dec. 16, 2025, just ahead of the holiday season and Rowan’s first birthday, he rang the end-of-treatment bell to celebrate.

While the family still travels to CHLA regularly, Jake and Audrey describe this milestone as a massive relief. “There’s been a lot to celebrate even through all this hardship,” says Audrey. “Ringing the bell felt like a big step toward the end goal.”

Resilience is genetic

“I personally know what it’s like to go through this, so it meant the world to me to see Rowan reach this milestone,” Jake says. “It’s something that should be celebrated. He’s only a baby, but the strength and resiliency he’s built here will carry him far.”

If Rowan is anything like his dad, he’ll only continue to cultivate that strength and resiliency as he grows.

Jake continued to pursue his passions after losing his eyes—even the ones that felt impossible, like playing football. In 2015, he became the first blind Division 1 football player as a long snapper for the USC Trojans; In 2022, he was the only fully blind athlete to compete in the U.S. Adaptive Open. He’s shared his story on countless stages over the last two decades and continues to channel his love of sports into programs that support retinoblastoma treatment and research.

“Jake truly is an astounding spirit,” says Dr. Berry. “He has so much light around him. Somebody who’s lost both their eyes could easily be bitter or blameful. But he’s a very spiritual person, and he believes that some greater good will come from this.”

While Jake and Audrey will undoubtedly pass their mutual love of sports on to Rowan someday, right now they most look forward to watching him be a typical baby.

“That’s what makes me smile the most,” Jake says. “He learned to walk recently. He just celebrated his first Christmas and his first birthday.”

“And knowing he’s able to see … I mean, that’s why we did this, right? To save his sight. To save him. To enjoy those moments where he’s using his eyes to be a happy kid.”

I personally know what it’s like to go through this, so it meant the world to me to see Rowan reach this milestone. It’s something that should be celebrated. — Jake Olson

Learn more about retinoblastoma care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

How You Can Help

Anyone you know who might be making a move — refer them to the Corey Chambers real estate team. Not only will they benefit from our award winning service, but this very worthy cause will benefit as well. Corey Chambers 213-880-9910 helpkids@coreychambers.com entar.com.com/kids

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