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Ryan Reynolds dedicates Critics' Choice award to Connor McGrath, Grace Bowen

Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds dedicated his Critics' Choice Award for Entertainer of the Year to the memory of two children who died from cancer.

McGrath, 13, and Bowen, 9, both died from cancer

Ryan Reynolds remembers Connor McGrath, Grace Bowen

8 years ago
Duration 0:39
In his acceptance speech at the Critics' Choice Awards, Ryan Reynolds remembers two young fans who died from cancer

Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds dedicated his 2017 Critics' Choice Award to the memory of two Canadian children who died from cancer.

Reynolds was presented the Entertainer of the Year Award at a gala in Santa Monica, Calif. Sunday night.

"The character had cancer and some of the people that this character resonated with were sick kids," Reynolds said. "So I would like to dedicate this honour to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the SickKids Foundation of Toronto, two incredible organizations that do so much for so many kids in need."

Ryan Reynolds gave Connor McGrath, 13, a private screening of Deadpool before it was released in theatres. (Facebook )

"And I would also like to dedicate this award to the memory of my friends Connor McGrath and Grace Bowen. They didn't lose the battle, but they started the fight — and it's up to us to finish it."

McGrath, 13, who lived in Edmonton but had roots in Newfoundland and Labrador, died of leukemia earlier in 2016. Bowen, 9, died from Osteosarcoma.

Bowen's story has since been featured in a Toronto's SickKids Hospital campaign, titled SickKids vs. Cancer.

Both of the children were fans of Reynolds, and got to meet and hang out with the Deadpool star.

Reynolds gave McGrath an exclusive screening of Deadpool before it hit theaters.

Ryan Reynolds and Connor McGrath became fast friends after Reynolds treated McGrath to a special early screening of his film Deadpool. (Facebook)