Not Goodbye, but “Until Next Time…”
Published Monday, September 8, 2025
Selena Owen, former Events Development Assistant at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, begins her next chapter at nursing school – inspired by the people and stories she's carried with her.
Selena Owen Steps Down from Foundation to Enrol in Nursing School
People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. But for Selena Owen, it took all three for her to re-find her calling. It's the people in her life over the years that prompted Selena to step down from her role as Events Development Assistant at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and return to school for nursing.
“When I was in grade 4, my mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer,” Selena said. “I was by her side for all her treatments. From then on, I wanted to become a nurse.”
Her career goals changed over the years, as they often do through childhood. Selena studied to become a medical lab assistant and then worked for a time in marketing. In 2023, she joined the Health Sciences Foundation and realized that she could help improve people's health through other ways.
“I love my job, but I slowly began to realize that I really wanted to be on the medical side after all,” she said.
Selena said the turning point came with the passing of her good friend Hannah Deley, who succumbed to cancer of the appendix earlier this year at just 25 years old.
“Hannah was such a bright light, smiling all the time,” Selena said. “She never complained about any of her treatments. We met in high school, but when she came to me with the idea for her candle fundraiser to raise awareness about the extra challenges young people with cancer face, we got close.
“I really want to become an oncology nurse because of Hannah.”
Selena accomplished a lot during her relatively short time at the Foundation. What touched her and inspires her most were the smaller fundraisers. Personal initiatives from incredible people like eight-year-old Saige McKay. Since the age of five, Saige raises money for the Northern Cancer Fund instead of getting birthday presents – all to help her mother, Olivia Pelletier, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. Then there are Lakehead University's Think Pink varsity fundraisers. Bay Village Coffee's Cookie Fundraiser. The Jenna Wade Memorial Lemonade Stand run by Jenna's nieces in her memory. And, of course, Hannah's candle fundraiser last August.
“These are the relationships I'm taking away with me,” Selena said. “They all inspire me to do more.”
Selena made some pretty special relationships at the Health Sciences Foundation, too. It's a close-knit team. This past July, everyone came out to watch one of her races at the Thunder City Speedway, and ran out to congratulate her when she won. That's the saddest part of moving on, Selena said: leaving them.
“I'm not sure what I'll say to them all on my last day,” Selena said. “I'll probably just hug them all and cry.”
Selena isn't leaving the Foundation entirely. She will continue to sit on the Tbaytel Motorcycle Ride for Dad committee. And, Selena has started her own fundraiser in Hannah's memory, selling Fuc🎗 Cancer stickers with a reminder ribbon in place of the letter k.
“We are all so proud of her,” said Haley Werbowetski, Events Manager at the Health Sciences Foundation. “Although we know she is making the best decision for her future, she will be sadly missed by everyone.”
Selena's Fuc🎗 Cancer stickers in honour of Hannah Deley are available through her Facebook page or by contacting Jenelle, Development Assistant, Events at jenelle.dawson@tbh.net or 807-684-7788.
Until next time, Selena.