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Beth Heide, KC educator who helped raise awareness for colorectal cancer, passes away

Posted at 11:27 AM, Feb 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-21 20:10:10-05

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City woman who was the face of a national cancer campaign has passed away, her family announced Friday.

Beth Heide was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in 2017 at the age of 44.

The Heide family announced Beth's passing on Facebook stating, "It is with deep sadness we let you all know Beth has passed away peacefully in her sleep. While her journey has ended, it is your anecdotes that continue her memory and allow us to feel her presence. These words and stories have given us solace throughout this time. We were able to read many of your kind words and messages to her during the final days of her life, and we know she felt the love and prayers from all of you. She was an inspiration to us all and will be so missed."

Heide was selected as an ambassador for Fight Colorectal Cancer in 2019.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the campain said, "Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) advocate Beth Heide bravely talked about her experience with early-age onset colorectal cancer to save lives and encourage others to talk to their doctor about colon and rectal cancer screening. We are devastated to hear of Beth's passing and send our deepest condolences to her family. Fight CRC will continue to fight against this preventable disease in Beth's honor."

In March 2019, Heide sat down with 41 Action News to share her journey and encourage others to get a colonoscopy.

"We're honest with each other," she said at the time. "We cry, we talk, we laugh, we hope, we pray and you always want a miracle right, so there's always hope for a miracle."

While Heide was in the national spotlight, it was her work as an educator in the Kansas City metro area that shined bright.

Heide began her career in the Center School District in 1996.

Center's Interim Superintendent Michael Weishaar issued the following statement to the Center School District family.

"It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that Dr. Beth Heide passed away peacefully in her sleep after courageously and gracefully battling cancer for more than two years. If you knew Beth, you undoubtedly experienced her infectious spirit, her unwavering passion for kids and her vibrant fun-loving personality. We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to David, Madison and Rhett as well as her vast extended family and friends. Dr. Heide began her career in Center in 1996 as a social studies teacher and volleyball coach. In 2005, she was named assistant principal at Center High School and remained in that role until she become principal in 2010. In 2014, Beth was promoted to Director of Human Resources and Student Services. In the fall of 2017, she was inducted into the Center Hall of Fame. Beth most recently served as the Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services in the Liberty School District."
CSD Interim Superintendent Michael Weishaar

In 2016, Heide joined Liberty Public Schools and most recently served as the Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services.

Liberty Public Schools Superintendent Jeremy Tucker posted a statement to Facebook, which read, in part: "We can't express the inspiration [Heide] provided all of us over the course of the past two years as she battled her illness. She refused to be deterred and continued to serve in her role to make a positive impact on our district."

Read Tuckers full statement below.

The Heide family said funeral arrangements will be announced soon.