The Power of Sports: Penelope Power

Coralville, Iowa – At the end of the day, sports evoke emotion and feeling. A win creates happiness and joy. A difficult loss can make one feel momentary despair. 

But big wins aren’t always decided on the ice. 

For ten-year-old Penelope Pearson, who has battled B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia since Dec. 2022, coming to an Iowa Heartlanders game at Xtream Arena with her family last spring was a “big win” and evoked a sense of pride that went far beyond the team’s victory on the ice that night.

With the Heartlanders preparing for Stick It To Cancer Night on Feb. 15 against Toledo, we are proud to share Penelope’s story of how a Heartlanders game can be an experience that goes far beyond a simple ‘night out’ at the Iowa River Landing. In fact, it can be exactly the lift some in our community need.

🎟️🎟️ Stick It To Cancer Night 

“We got our tickets a few weeks before,” Penelope’s mother, Liz Pearson, recalled. “Penelope is in treatment until March. We normally don’t tell the kids the plans until a few weeks before in case they have to change [due to Penelope’s health.] This one we had hope. I told them we were going to make that.” 

On the day of the game, both Liz and Penelope recalled how special the experience was to come to Fan Appreciation Night in front of a sold-out crowd against the Kansas City Mavericks.

“It feels nice to not have to drive so far to a team you love,” Penelope said. “During the game I felt excited, it felt intense. I was also trying to be active and trying to get on the jumbotron. I got on twice.”

“When she realized she got on the screen she said, ‘this is the best day of my life,’” Liz explained. 

“I couldn’t be quiet about the jumbotron,” Penelope laughed. “I really liked the chuck-a-puck to be able to throw the pucks on the ice. I loved mascot Dash. He’s nice and we got a hug from him.”   

“People think that kids with cancer could be softer or meek, but Penelope is not like that –she was out there screaming and ready to beat on the glass,” Liz said. “We loved how intense [and athletic] it is watching hockey live.”

That’s the power of sports for you. And for Penelope that goes beyond being at a game live, but also over the last few years as she’s experienced grueling treatment for cancer.

“She gives it her all in everything,” Liz explained. “When you’re seeing someone compete, you can’t help but think about how hard they’ve worked to be where they are. When Penelope had her lumbar punctures – they stick a needle in her spine, then take out some of her spinal fluid and put some chemo fluid back in her spine. She would lay there and think about Caitlin Clark and how hard she has to do her workouts and work in practices and games. We would think about how Penelope can lay here and do those lumbar punctures because she’s just as strong as everyone else.” 

As Liz explained this, her words put some many things into perspective. In hockey, we often describe strength as a measure of how hard someone hits or the power they put on a slap shot. But Penelope’s story -- that’s true strength for you.

“To have people to look up to – those athletes at the Heartlanders and how much fun they’re having and how hard they’ve worked to get to that point, it reminds us the only way out is through,” Liz said. “We look forward to being able to look forward to things again as a family. Her birthday is in early March. She is going to turn 11 and then hopefully we can ring the bell on March 28^th.”

$10 Online Youth Tickets

Available NOW! Grab $10 online youth tickets to any Heartlanders home game! Purchase 1 regular-priced ticket and get $10 online youth tickets (age 17 and under) to any seating section (excluding glass/premium seats). 

Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 7:00 p.m.: Waste Management and Sustainability Night vs. Cincinnati

A fun-filled evening dedicated to protecting our environment and making a positive impact on the planet at Sustainability & Waste Management Night!

Friday, Feb. 14 at 7:00 p.m.: Love on Ice Night vs. Toledo

Love and romance don’t normally mix with hockey, but tonight we’re embracing it! The night will be all about feeling the Valentine’s Day love… but maybe not on the ice.

Saturday, Feb. 15 at 6:00 p.m.: Stick it to Cancer Night vs. Toledo

Enjoy a hockey doubleheader featuring the University of Iowa women's club team, then experience Xtream Arena as you've never seen it before -- it's a LAVENDER OUT, with a Lavender pom pom giveaway! Stick it to Cancer Night will also feature special videos, moments of silence and exclusive merchandise as we fight for a cure! We'd like to thank iHeartRadio for helping us to present Stick it to Cancer Night!

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Single-game tickets, mini-plans, group tickets, flex tickets and season-ticket plans are available! Call 319-855-1775 to discuss options, or visit this link to make your plans for the 2024-25 season!