The Maine Brain Aneurysm Awareness Scholarship in memory of Jessica K. Heath
is awarded to an Undergraduate Student attending an accredited Maine institution pursuing a degree in Nursing (ADN or BSN) or a Graduate Student attending an accredited Maine institution pursuing a degree in PT (DPT), OT (MS OT), or PA (MS).
Jessica Kirsten (Brown) Heath of Raymond passed away on January 2, 2019 at the age of 34, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
Jess was born in Portland on June 12, 1984 and attended elementary through middle school in Scarborough, where her family lived. She graduated from Catherine McAuley High School in 2002 after years as a cheerleader and cheer coach, where she made sure to teach girls the values of self-respect and determination. Jess managed her father’s business, Floyd J. Brown, Jr. Construction – as the essential chief of operations.
Jess did everything with an intense commitment, from fundraising for Brain Aneurysms, supporting the Brain Tumor Society, and the multiple sports programs of her kids first in Gorham and then in Raymond. She was a fierce champion for her sons.
Her most earnest passion was her family. Her boys (all three of them – Aiden, Blake and Eric) meant the world to her. She was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2012 after self-advocating for an MRI, and she fought the brain tumor for 7 years. In 2016 she became an advocate for the National Brain Tumor Society sharing her testimony with our national legislature, to increase funding for brain cancer research.
Jessica joined the Maine Brain Aneurysm Awareness Committee just a month after losing a very close friend to a ruptured Brain Aneurysm (Karo Kurka) in 2011. It is with love the Committee has established this scholarship in memory of Jess. The annual KAT-Walk & Karo-5K has grown to embrace many families affected by Brain Aneurysm and the day is used to honor and remember all those we have lost to these horrible brain diseases.