Canes Now - Rowe's death 'heart-breaking'

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Rowe's death 'heart-breaking'

Submitted by chipalexander on 08/26/2008 - 12:50

Hurricanes players and staff members were saddened today to learn of the death of Julia Rowe, the young girl whose battle with leukemia proved so inspiring to the team during its run to the Stanley Cup in 2006.

Rowe, a neighbor of Canes coach Peter Laviolette, was the impetus behind the "relentless" motto that the team adopted during the playoffs. Laviolette sold wristbands to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Eastern N.C. Rowe's family donated bottles of Shafer's Relentless wine to Laviolette — signed by Rowe, then 6 years old — to give to players who epitomized that motto.

"It's always sad to see a young kid go through that she had to go through," captain Rod Brind'Amour said. "To me, the thing that's most sad is she was in tough shape for a long time. Obviously our thoughts go out to her family."

Canes forward Justin Williams and his wife are friends of Julia's parents, and he praised Julia's determination and spirit.

"It's really heart-breaking for someone so young to go so early," Williams said. "In her own way, she was a part of the team. She really touched our lives. It's an extremely huge loss for everyone."

Hurricanes trainer Pete Friesen had announced his third annual pre-camp 5K around the RBC Center on Sept. 14 would be held in honor of Julia Rowe. Today, he had to fight back tears in talking about her death.

"I didn't know her really well but the influence she had on our team, especially during the Stanley Cup run, was second to none," Friesen said. "I think in her own way, she helped us win the Stanley Cup, because a lot of times you can start focusing on how tough it is. And then Coach brought Julia Rowe into our lives.

"Then you knew what was really tough. If she could battle that, we could battle a seventh game or whatever we had to face."

Comments

Can't believe

Wed, 06/17/2009 - 02:36 — johnsmth_smith15

cant believe she is not with us any more, my love and prayers are always with her
JOhn (dedicated servers)

Julia was a special girl who

Sat, 08/30/2008 - 10:06 — Anonymous (not verified)

Julia was a special girl who had a positive attitude on life. She is an inspiration to us all to relaize how fortunate we are and all we have to be grateful for. As adults, we can learn so much from our children and having a joy of life and desire to conquer any challenges is something Julia exemplified!

Truly heart breaking

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 05:17 — redhairedgirl (not verified)

No one can think of the 2006 season without thinking of Julia. To lose someone who touched so many people is truly heartbreaking. My hope is that all who knew Julia or who were touched by her in any way will live their lives in her honor. Realize what is important. Be good to yourselves, and each other. And - don't give up. Don't ever give up. Bright blessings, Julia... ;)

Condolences

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 03:08 — AD (not verified)

My deepest condolences to Julia's family and to all those who knew and loved her. It is obvious she touched many lives.

Our Thoughts & Prayers

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 21:53 — esteban1949

Our thoughts and Prayers go out to her family. There never is a right thing to say when someone loses a child ...we just wrote out a check to the Society..in her name & honor...She is and will remain and symbal of grace,faith and courage to all of the team,it's fans and to everyday people who stopped and saw her carry on when most would just give up ! God Bless You Rowe Family...

Our thoughts and prayers

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 19:50 — Anonymous (not verified)

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rowe family during this time. What a brave and couragous little girl Julia was. All of us could learn from her. We all loved and admired her for what she was and she will always be in our hearts.

Julia

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 18:28 — jen finnegan (not verified)

My parents are neighbors of Julia's maternal grandparents.....my heart is so heavy for the whole family. They are remarkable and wonderful, inspiring and faith-filled people.....all of them. God bless them all at this time, and may their guardian angel Julia always watch down over them.

Our thoughts and prayer's go

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 16:06 — Trev (not verified)

Our thoughts and prayer's go out to her family...

Choking back some tears of

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 15:59 — Anonymous (not verified)

Choking back some tears of my own right now. Best thoughts and wishes to Julia's family and friends.

Also, small correction. The 5K is Sunday, Sept. 14, not the 13th.

http://hurricanes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=23300

You don't have to run 5K. You don't even have to walk it if you don't want to. Just register for the event. Every dollar helps.

<a

Tue, 06/30/2009 - 23:52 — nanoo

Deepest Condolences

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 14:45 — Anonymous (not verified)

Deepest condolcences to Julia Rowe's family and the Hurricanes family. Julia was an inspiration to those, like my family, who learned of her story, her strength, and her determination during the 2006 cup run. Every year we have given a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and will continue to do so, in Julia's memory. Hopefully someday medicine will have advanced so that other children will not have to experience what Julia did.

Sad

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 13:55 — Sarah (not verified)

That is so sad to hear. Such a couragous young child. My thoughts are with the Rowe family during this time of sadness.

=(

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 13:20 — wylde4canes (not verified)

My heart goes out to her family and those whose lives she touched with hers. I pray for her family, her soul, and also for a cure.

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