Heather Walker, a longtime Celtics executive and the team’s vice president of public relations, died on Wednesday following a nearly two-year battle with cancer. She was 52 years old.
“Heather Walker was a boundlessly charismatic, giving, and selfless soul,” the Celtics said in a 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.
“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.”
Walker, who had worked with the Celtics since 2006, was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in July 2021. Since then, she had been working relentlessly to raise awareness and money to research the rare and aggressive form of cancer. She started the Heather Walker Fund for Glioblastoma Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she was being treated.
The #Move4Heather campaign raised more than $644,000. Following her diagnosis, she joined a clinical trial for a vaccine to fight her cancer.
As part of the #Move4Heather fundraising initiative, she asked people to do something that moves them – a bucket list item or a simple activity – and post a photo and video with the hashtag #m4h, an effort to raise awareness and funds.
“Displaying exceptional courage, she made a point of raising awareness for glioblastoma through the Move4Heather movement, wanting to use her situation to help the lives of others, which was entirely consistent with her character,” the Celtics said. “Through her illness, she was resolute and extraordinary in boosting the spirits of those around her, and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and essential awareness in hopes of easing the suffering and saving the lives of others.”
Walker is survived by her husband Stephen and two daughters, Samantha and Taylor.
Celtics’ Heather Walker continues the fight
“We will miss her for her energy, the joy and laughter that followed her everywhere she went, and we are grateful for everything she provided her Celtics family and the countless people that she positively impacted along the way,” the Celtics said. “Our hearts and sympathy are with Heather’s loving family and friends, whom she cherished. She will remain part of our fabric for as long as the Celtics go on.”
Walker was beloved in the Celtics community, which supported her fiercely throughout her fight. Last March, on the night Kevin Garnett’s No. 5 was retired in the TD Garden rafters, she was honored in a halftime ceremony as the recipient of the team’s Heroes Among Us award, when she was able to reconnect with the 2008 championship team.
“Oh my God. You even mentioning it gives me goosebumps, it was so incredible,” Walker said in an interview with the Herald last year. “I think it was just amazing to see those guys. I haven’t seen a lot of those players in a very long time. James Posey, and Eddie House. Of course it’s amazing to see Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, who I’ve seen recently. We’ve always connected. Then Kevin Garnett – he was amazing and had some great words for me.
“He said stay strong. He said you continue your fight and stay strong, and he just gave me a big hug and was so motivating, just really, really nice.”