Boston Celtics Honor Team Executive Who Died From Brain Cancer During Move4Heather Night
On Monday, Jan. 27, the Boston Celtics honored the legacy of a team executive who died from glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, in April 2023 at age 52. Move4Heather Night at TD Garden recalled the life of Heather Walker, the Celtics former vice president of public relations, who was recognized by the team by having her initials placed over their hearts.
Walker started Move4Heather as a way for people to get active and donate to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute after her diagnosis with this rare form of cancer. To date, this initiative has raised more than $750,000 for brain cancer research.
Stephanie Vail, a Holliston oncology nurse who cared for Walker at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, was honored as the evening’s Hero Among Us, along with her 8-year-old son Declan, who is battling brain cancer. “She (Walker) was such a light on our floor. A beautiful human being. She’s the type of person that thought she was diagnosed for a reason, to find a cure,” Vail said in an interview with WBZ-TV.
Walker herself has a personal connection with Dana-Farber. She got a job at the institute after Declan was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 3. Inspired by her son’s journey with cancer, Vail has chosen to ride with the BrainStorms, a Pan-Mass Challenge cycling group, to raise funds for pediatric brain tumor research.
For Walker’s husband, Stephen, the courage demonstrated by the Vail family is a reminder of his beloved wife Heather’s determination.
“Just fight. Don’t give up hope,” Stephen told WMUR-TV.