Tag: heather walker

Boston Celtics name Media Center for beloved VP of PR Heather Walker

Walker served as the senior vice president of public relations for many years.

The Boston Celtics recently paid a heartfelt tribute to Heather Walker, a beloved executive who lost her battle with cancer earlier this year, per reporting from The Athletic’s Jared Weiss. The team unveiled the Heather Walker Media Center at the Auerbach Center, the ball club’s practice facility in Brighton, MA. Walker served as the senior vice president of public relations for many years.

She was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in July of 2021, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. Despite the grim diagnosis, she exhibited remarkable strength and resilience. Following her diagnosis, Walker initiated the “Move 4 Heather” fundraising campaign, which has successfully raised over $700,000 for glioblastoma research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The Celtics’ tribute reflects the considerable impact Walker had on the team, its players, staff, front office executives, and of course, the media who will have their workspace named for her.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

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Boston Celtics hold event to honor 2022-23’s Heroes Among Us

The event had Brian Scalabrine and team treasurer Deborah Goldberg giving the keynote speakers.

The Boston Celtics’ Heroes Among Us Event 2023 was a heartwarming event that honored exceptional individuals who have made important contributions to their communities in the greater Boston area.

Organized by the Massachusetts State Lottery in collaboration with the Celtics, it was held in August.

These heroes have selflessly undertaken remarkable acts of kindness throughout the year, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others. It’s a beautiful reminder of the power of compassion in our daily lives and the impact one person can have on the lives of many.

To get a glimpse of the gala put together by the folks behind the Heroes Among Us, take a look at the clip embedded below.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics VP of PR Heather Walker passes away after long battle with cancer

Thank you for all you did for others going through what you were, Heather Walker — rest in peace.

After being diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in 2021, Boston Celtics vice president of public relations Heather Walker has passed away, with the team releasing a statement on her passing. “Heather Walker was a boundlessly charismatic, giving, and selfless soul,” began the statement.

“Every room she entered was brighter for her presence. As anyone who knew her could attest, her abundant positive energy and kindness should not be mistaken for any lack of fortitude or determination when such qualities were required,” it continued. She thrived in chaos, always able to recognize the humor that the adventures of her life brought her.”

“Each of these attributes were on display through the best days of her life, and remained intact, sharpened even, when she encountered her cruel diagnosis,” it related.

Revisiting the history of the Boston Celtics-Miami Heat rivalry

With Boston set to take on Miami yet again, it seems an appropriate moment to look back on that rivalry.

While no rivalry in the league can compare to that of the historic rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, there are a few others involving the Celtics that make for extra spicy viewing in a regular season game. One of them is the rivalry Boston shares with Atlantic Division foe Philadelphia 76ers, and the other, more recent of the two is the rivalry the Celtics have with the Miami Heat.

While only dating back to the Heatles era that saw the “New Big Three” of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen regularly competing for titles against one another, there have been threads connecting the Lakers ire via Heat head honcho Pat Riley.

So with Boston set to take on Miami yet again, it seems an appropriate moment to look back on that rivalry courtesy of the “Hoops Collective” podcast of ESPN fame.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear how it has been unfolding through time right up to the present.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston Celtics VP of PR Heather Walker meets with President Biden to fight cancer

The two are linked by the cancer that took Biden’s son Beau in 2015.

While Boston Celtics Vice President of Public Relations Heather Walker likely wishes she had less in common with President Joe Biden than she does, their shared link via glioblastoma brought the two together in common cause to defeat it.

Glioblastoma is a rare form of brain cancer she has been fighting since a 2021 diagnosis. It is the same disease Biden’s son Beau died from in 2015.

The U.S. president, in town to promote his “cancer moonshot” program whose goal is to halve deaths from the disease in the United States, met with the Celtics executive and gave her a handkerchief.

“He hugged me and he knows what I am going through,” Walker said via WCVB Boston. “It was a moment we shared that was unbelievable.”

“I’m meant to be here to help and raise awareness for it,” Walker related, referencing the more than $600,000 she has raised with The Jimmy Fund.

“I’m strong inside and I’m going to make it. Mark my words, I’m still going to be here in years and we’re going to be right in front of Biden saying: ‘Remember when we talked about this?'”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

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ABC News Live: @Celtics VP Heather …

Among the tributes and well-wishes was …

Among the tributes and well-wishes was a recollection from Danny Ainge, who recounted his surprise upon spotting the newest member of his media relations team on a motorcycle, cruising down a street in Rome during the Celtics’ 2008 training camp. “Holy cow, you’re a public relations vice president and you’re riding a motorcycle?” Kevin Garnett, in a typically long, adjective-laced ramble, told her, “I just want to remind you to keep living, and keep having these experiences, and keep doing whatever you do, and more importantly keep fighting.”

Her cancer hasn’t returned since …

Her cancer hasn’t returned since surgery. That’s a starting point. “I actually feel really good,” she said this week. “I did start my chemo again this week, so I feel a little nauseous, a little chemo-brained, but through the process I’ve felt really good. I take it one day at a time. Movement and working out definitely helps. It is a game-changer when you work out and exercise.

Boston Celtics PR vice president Heather Walker on battling cancer, helping others

Walker isn’t just in this fight for herself.

Chances are that if you ever consumed media about the Boston Celtics, Heather Walker touched your life even if you did not see what she did to help make that media possible in her role as the team’s vice president of public relations.

Known in media circles as much for her hard work and diligence as her ability to connect the press and the stars that make the organization go, Walker recently was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer she is determined to fight. She is also trying to help others with the condition while she does.

Along with her doctor David Reardon, clinical director of the Center for Neuro-Oncology at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the Celtics PR VP spoke with GBH News’ Jim Braude to discuss the latest tools available fight this malady, as well as the “Move 4 Heather Challenge.”

Watch the clip embedded above — and if you can, join the fight.

This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

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