From orations to an award – Celebrating the life of Bowen Oliver

“The oration has been such a wonderful way to remember Bowen and capture his passion for life and sharing the wonders of life,” David said.

“But for many reasons, my wife Christina, my other children and I know that it’s time to forge another path in how we honour Bowen and everything he stood for.

“Bowen had a voracious appetite for learning and, most importantly, sharing knowledge. We think it’s fitting that an award named in his honour will help young scientists at SAHMRI with their quest to communicate their work to the world.”

Bowen was born to David and Christina in 1993, joining Michael and Christopher in their family of five. By the age of four, Bowen’s developmental delays saw his parents seek specialist help. He was diagnosed with MPS VI – an inherited genetic condition with a range of symptoms but, at the time, no treatments.

“After the initial trial phases, Bowen settled into a pattern of weekly infusions that would become our routine for 11 years,” David said.

“Naglazyme gave him the strength and health to engage in the world, to study and travel, and have a great quality of life with a rich circle of friends.”

Aged 20, Bowen died from a seizure that was as unexpected as it still is unexplained. But the family’s connection with John Hopwood, his wife Barbara, and SAHMRI endure to this day.

Being here at SAHMRI it wouldn’t be possible not to talk about windows,” David said.

“They are a wonderful device that separates inside and outside but allows visibility both ways. There are the researchers inside here, who need that view out the window to understand the human impacts of the critical work they do. Conversely, for families like ours who look in through the same windows and the light we see gives us hope where often there is none.