Apr 04, 2025 | WNGHA | 111 views
Honouring Grace Bowen & SickKids 150
The Town of Cobourg is honoured to host one of 150 SickKids 150th Birthday Balloon sculptures at the Cobourg Community Centre. We are proud to stand with communities across Canada to celebrate the life-changing work of SickKids and to honour an incredible young girl whose courage and determination in her fight against Osteosarcoma was nothing short of inspiring.
💙 The SickKids 150th Balloon Display is now set up in the Grand Hall of the Cobourg Community Centre and will be displayed from April 3-13—stop by and take a moment to reflect on Grace’s impact.
Grace Bowen was an outgoing, determined, and passionate young girl whose love for hockey could not be measured. At just eight years old, she poured every ounce of her energy into the game, embracing every aspect of it—practices, tournaments, tough losses, and the unbreakable bond with her teammates. She thrived in the dressing room, adored messy hair buns, and cherished the friendships she built both on and off the ice. Her laugh and loud voice were infectious. Hockey wasn’t just a sport to her; it was part of who she was. But, just a part.
Determined to improve, Grace pushed herself to attend power skating with the boys, always striving to be the best player she could be. But then, she started to complain of a sore knee, which later revealed something much more serious, a broken femur caused by Osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer. Diagnosed just days before her ninth birthday, she faced a battle no child should ever have to.
Despite the unimaginable challenges, Grace never lost her love for her team and this was a mutual love. She spent weeks watching from the stands, longing to be on the ice, but always cheering her teammates on. She showed immense strength, bravery, and kindness through it all. When treatment forced her to leave the game she loved, she spent 11 long months at SickKids, facing surgeries, chemotherapy, and relentless treatments and pokes. Through every hardship, she never stopped supporting others—her team, the children at the hospital, and everyone around her - and they never stopped supporting her either.
Grace embodied resilience and heart. She represented the West Northumberland Wild with immense pride (every where she went), proving that true strength isn’t just about skill on the ice but about character, perseverance, and never giving up—even in the toughest moments.
To honour Grace and SickKids 150th, the West Northumberland Girls Hockey Association is hosting a free public skate:
📅 Saturday, April 5th
⏰ 2:15 PM - 3:45 PM
📍 Cobourg Community Centre
📸 Share your photos with #SickKids150 to help spread awareness and support this incredible campaign.