AURORA — No 7-year-old could fathom facing a cancer diagnosis, and neither could the family of that 7-year-old.

Owen Preston, now 8, had to do just that.

But he’s a fighter, and he’s been fighting since being diagnosed with glioblastoma, a brain tumor, in January 2016. Owen and his family, parents Jennifer and Brian and younger brother Luke, live in Wilmington, but they’ve traveled back and forth for treatment at Duke University Hospital.

That’s why friends, family, Aurora officials and PotashCorp-Aurora stepped in to give Owen a trip of a lifetime to the Aurora Fossil Museum on Saturday.

Owen has visited the fossil museum before, but the partners involved made sure to take it up a notch and provide an unforgettable day. He was dubbed “Mayor Owen” for the day, thanks to Aurora Mayor Clif Williams, and museum Director Cynthia Crane presented him with the key to the museum. Owen also uncovered a large megalodon tooth while digging in the fossil pit across the street.

“It’s been a long journey,” grandfather Ronald Preston said. “He still thinks well, and he certainly enjoyed his trip to the fossil museum, as did his extended family.”

Mary Lou Infinito, a family friend and local nurse, also played a large role in making the day a reality, Preston said.

Owen’s overall demeanor of positivity and bravery is a testament to how strong of a child he is, and Crane said it was an emotional day for her.

“It was just a pleasure to have him here,” Crane said. “We were very glad to host that, and that’s why we’re here. We’re here to do good things like that.”

“He loves the fossil museum, and he loves hunting for shark’s teeth,” Preston said. “He was all about it.”

Although Owen’s brain tumor has taken a harsh toll on his health, his million-dollar smile on Saturday gave little evidence of it. For a child who has been through so much, Owen’s trip to Aurora was a remarkable one — remarkable for him, for his loved ones and for the organizers at the museum.

“The people there were just so kind. … He was quite taken with all that. He loved the day, as did everybody that was there,” Preston said. “He has had many blessings along the way.”