Grace Bunke

Amazing Grace Invitational meet to honor former Walton swimmer

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Back in March the Walton school community mourned the death of Grace Bunke, a student and swimmer who fought osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer. Grace Bunke, Amazing Grace Invitational

On Saturday, the renamed Amazing Grace Invitational will honor her memory and serve as a fundraiser for cancer research.

Since 2009 the Walton swimming program has held a cancer research fundraiser, initially in memory of Margaret Soulen Gilbert, a former swimmer and coach in the Atlanta area.

Now the name of the event has been changed to the Amazing Grace Invitational.

Bunke was 11 when she was diagnosed with cancer, and had many surgeries and a partial leg amputation. In order to get back into physical shape, she began to swim, and even was a member of the U.S. Paralympic team.

She later made the Walton swim team, but her cancer returned, and spread to both lungs. She died a day before her 15th birthday.

Saturday’s meet starts at 1:15 p.m. at the Cobb Aquatic Center (520 Fairground St., near the Cobb Civic Center) and the other teams competing are from Etowah, Hillgrove, Marietta, Kennesaw Mountain and North Springs high schools.

The fundraiser will benefit Swim Across America, and each school will have a bucket at the sign-in table for donations from those attending the meet.

“Race for Grace” T-shirts also will be sold, with partial proceeds going to Swim Across America and the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

 

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Memorial service for Grace Bunke set for April 14 at Mt. Bethel UMC

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Students at Walton High School have held several commemorations for Grace Bunke this week, and a memorial service has been scheduled in a couple of weeks.Grace Bunke

Bunke is the Walton freshman who died on Sunday of aggressive bone cancer, the day before her 15th birthday, and after a public battle to raise money and awareness.

The service will be on Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church (4385 Lower Roswell Road).

Walton students held a celebration of life service earlier this week that included a release of many yellow balloons and a tribute from senior class president Peter Minetos:

https://twitter.com/PeterMinetos/status/979512465716326401

Grace’s family is providing updates at a Caring Bridge page that includes this latest entry:

“Fortunately, we trust in our belief about God’s goodness and His promises. In fact, that is what this upcoming Sunday is all about. Grace might have died on Palm Sunday, but because of Easter – we know she is still alive and well. We just can’t see her.

“Which is why we are all doing ok. Are we sad? Absolutely. Do we miss Grace? More than you can imagine. Are we overwhelmed? Sometimes. Is Caroline dealing with this in her own way? Yes. Are we a puddle of emotions? Not all of the time. Are we crying 24/7? No. Are we dysfunctional in every way? No. Are we ok? Well, yes. We are all ok because we know deep down in our hearts that Grace is too.

“Don’t believe me? Well then join us as we spend time together honoring our beloved daughter and Caroline’s most amazing and incredible sister and best friend as we attempt to see…Life Through the Eyes of Grace.”

Donations in her honor can be made to the Rally Foundation and Swim Across America, which are devoted to childhood cancer research. Proceeds for the latter benefit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where Grace was treated.

 

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Grace Bunke, Walton student and U.S. Paralympic swimmer, dies after cancer battle

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UPDATE: April 14 memorial service slated for Grace Bunke

Grace Bunke, a Walton High School freshman and U.S. Paralympic athlete who made her battle with cancer public, died on Sunday.

Grace would have turned 15 years old today

A post by her mother, Vicki Bunke on her daughter’s Caring Bridge page on Sunday delivered the news:

“At 1:18 in the afternoon today, Grace departed her earthly home for her eternal one. Not until the very moment that Grace took her last breath did I realize how much strength and courage it takes to leave your loved ones and face death. She held on as long as she could, and we will always cherish every minute of every day that we had together as a family of four. My heart holds so much anguish, love, and admiration for her and for Caroline. Perhaps what hurts the most is admitting that here with us was no longer the best place for Grace; but rather, there – in Heaven – is the best place.”

Grace was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer, at the age of 11. She underwent many rounds of chemotherapy, had part of a leg amputated and had two lung surgeries during her ordeal.

Grace used her illness to raise money and awareness for cancer research, through organizations like the Rally Foundation and Swim Across America. Originally a track and field athlete, she turned to swimming in 2015, training at Swim Atlanta in East Cobb, and later became a member of the Walton and U.S. Paralympic teams.

The U.S. Paralympic Swimming team offered this statement about Grace today.

Here’s what Grace wrote about her cancer battle for the Rally Foundation:

“Although it might seem to others that I am just a very small fish in a very, very big and often unforgiving sea, I can still make a difference. I can make a difference by sharing my story and raising money desperately needed for research.

“Please don’t feel sorry for me. I believe one way God loves us is to let us love others. To provide hope to others. You provide me great hope. Your generous financial support for Rally allows my life to have an impact.

“Together, we will change the outcome for kids with cancer. I am hopeful and believe that you and I, and researchers, with God’s help, will one day give all kids fighting cancer a bright, long future.”

Vicki Bunke said in her post Sunday that Grace asked that donations could be made in her honor at the 2018 Swim Across America fundraising page. All proceeds will benefit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where Grace was treated.

 

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