Andrew Heimann, a Columbus native and son of recently retired Bartholomew Circuit Court Judge Stephen Heimann, has died.
The 38-year-old 1997 Columbus North High School graduate operated an acupuncture practice in Miami, Florida, but had been unable to work for about a year as treatment continued for Grade IV glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer, an aggressive form of the disease. He was diagnosed in August 2016.
He died at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to an email letter sent to family and friends by his parents, who were with their son at his Florida home.
“Andrew fought the good fight, he finished the race, and he kept the faith,” the letter from Stephen and Ann Heimann said.
Andrew Heimann had undergone traditional care at University of Miami Hospital, but his tumor type does not respond to traditional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation and generally requires alternative approaches, his doctors said.
He tried experimental medicines and procedures administered first in Germany, then at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
Stephen and Ann Heimann said in the letter that they and Andrew’s sister, Emily, were fortunate to be able to spend time with him in his last days.
“He was at peace and mentioned several times in the past couple of weeks how blessed he was to have so much love and support from everyone,” the parents said in the letter.
Family, friends and the Columbus community pitched in to help Andrew Heimann and his family.
A variety show fundraiser held in July in Columbus raised $42,000 to help defray medical expense costs not covered by his insurance.
More than $108,000 was donated for Andrew Heimann’s care through the online YouCaring crowdfunding site.
