Heron Club Raises Money for Team Member with Brain Cancer

Published: March 7, 2022

Nikki Marceus is a medical technician – med tech for short – at The Heron Club at Prestancia , an Assisted Living and Memory Care community in Sarasota.

Nikki loves the seniors she serves.

Nikki is 21 years old and has brain cancer.

Nikki seemingly always wanted to help people. From her earliest memories, she can remember being a helper, but now, at 21 years old, she’s the one needing help.

“I love being able to care for people who need my help,” Nikki said. “This job makes me feel like I make a difference, and I know I make a difference. That’s why I want to study to become a nurse.”

That was last year. This year? She wants to beat cancer.

And so far, she’s doing just that.

Nikki was diagnosed with a brain cancer normally affecting children and is not often found in adults. Medulloblastoma is the official name and it’s a scary-sounding name at that. But let’s be honest, being diagnosed with cancer by any name is a frightening realization of one’s mortality even in the those within an age range who often think they’re invincible.

“She’s going to beat this,” Meredith Humbrecht said. Meredith is the Director of Resident Services at Heron Club and has helped Nikki throughout the entire process. “Nikki’s tough and is a person who won’t give up. She doesn’t give up. She shows up.”

As her 21st birthday approached in February of 2022, so did the delicate brain surgery that would hopefully remove the cancer. Being young has its advantages, but any sort of brain surgery is risky, regardless of age or health.

And as it turns out, the team working on her made good on the results they said were likely but never promised because a surgery like this isn’t rocket science with equations, formulas, and a rigid approach to outcomes. It’s brain surgery. Although science has a hand in it, there’s an art to it, mixed with skill and wrapped in a whole lot of hope.

Nikki and others leaned on hope to get her through the most challenging time in her young life.

And when she opened her eyes for the first time after surgery, hope wasn’t some far-off, hard-to-explain expectation of better days. It was here. It was now. She had grasped hope – every straw, even the last one – and it pulled her to a place she needed to be. It kept her here with those surrounding her with love.

She had made it through the procedure, but the journey to recovery was just starting. The hospital bills were the furthest thing from her mind those first few days, but as the days passed the worry crept into Nikki’s thoughts.

“I’m grateful for the surgeons and everyone who has helped me,” Nikki said. “Now, I’m trying to figure out how to make sure the bills get paid.”

To financially help Nikki, The Heron Club at Prestancia is having a garage sale of sorts Saturday, March 19. The event kicks off at 11 in the morning and is open to the public. Items from vendors will be available for bid by way of a silent auction, and monetary donations will also be accepted.

“She’s so great and in her time of need, we really want to try and help her any way we can because she’s the one always helping others,” Executive Director Anna Hellett said. “It doesn’t matter what is going on, when we need help, she’s the first one to volunteer.”

“Now it’s our time to help her.”

If you would like more information or would like to donate, please call The Heron Club at Prestancia at (941) 216-1736.

Event Details
Where: The Heron Club at Prestancia Garage Sale Details
Address: 3749 Sarasota Sq. Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34238
Date: March 19, 2022
Time: 11 AM

Our Latest

Our Office Has Moved

April 13, 2026
We are excited to announce we have officially moved into our new home at 1589 Metropolitan Blvd. , Tallahassee, Florida, 32308 ! This is a milestone we've been looking forward to, and we're thrilled to open the doors of our new space. Whether you're a longtime client, a partner, or someone just getting to know us, we'd love for you to come visit. Our new office reflects our continued growth and commitment to serving you better, and we look forward to welcoming you through our doors. Our phone and fax numbers remain the same, so staying in touch is as easy as ever. And if you have any questions about our new location or need help finding us, don't hesitate to reach out. We can't wait to see you here!

We're Expanding Memory Care Offering at Harper’s Station Gainesville

April 1, 2026
We’ve always focused on creating an environment where residents feel supported, engaged, and truly known. Now, we’re building on that commitment in a meaningful way. As of April 1, Harper's Station Gainesville has expanded its Memory Care offering by assuming management of the standalone Memory Care community located adjacent to Harper’s Station Gainesville. While this neighboring community has long been part of the Gainesville landscape, it will now operate under the same approach, standards, and philosophy that guide everything we do. This allows us to create a more consistent experience across both communities while expanding our ability to serve residents with specialized needs. For residents and families, this expansion means more access to dedicated Memory Care support, greater consistency in how care is delivered, and a stronger connection between services. It also allows us to enhance programming and provide an environment intentionally designed for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. “This is a natural extension of what we’re already doing at Harper’s Station,” said Taylor Bratkovich, Vice President of Operations for SRI Management . “By bringing this community under our management, we’re able to create greater consistency in care, strengthen team support, and enhance the overall resident experience. Families can expect the same thoughtful, personalized approach across both communities.” Memory Care is deeply personal, and we approach it with that understanding. Our teams are focused on meeting residents where they are, creating structure, familiarity, and meaningful moments throughout each day. At the same time, what matters most remains unchanged. “SRI Management has always focused on growing in ways that directly support residents and their families,” said Todd Filippone, President of SRI Management . “Expanding our Memory Care offering in Gainesville allows us to serve more individuals while delivering the same level of compassion, consistency, and quality that defines Harper’s Station.” This next step allows us to grow thoughtfully while staying grounded in what matters most, delivering a strong, consistent experience for every resident we serve.

Impact Senior Living Expands in Florida with Three More Communities

April 1, 2026
Impact Senior Living an affiliated brand of SRI Management, has expanded its presence in Florida with the addition of three senior living communities: The Heron of Lake City , The Heron of Longwood , and The Heron of Palm Coast . Located across key Florida markets, the three communities offer a mix of Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care services, with a shared focus on personalized support, purposeful engagement, and creating environments where residents can maintain independence while receiving the care they need. The Heron of Lake City, located at 213 NW Gleason Drive in Lake City, provides a welcoming setting designed to support residents through every stage of aging. The Heron of Longwood, located at 342 South Wayman Street in Longwood, offers thoughtfully designed spaces and programs that foster connection and daily engagement. The Heron of Palm Coast, located at 3830 Old Kings Road in Palm Coast, delivers tailored care and a supportive environment centered on resident well-being. The addition of these communities represents a continued investment in Florida and reflects Impact Senior Living’s strategy of aligning with communities that prioritize strong operations, quality care, and long-term stability. “Florida remains one of the most important and dynamic markets in senior living, and we are excited to continue growing our presence with the addition of these three communities,” said Andrew Hendry, Vice President of Operations for Impact Senior Living . “Each location brings a dedicated team and a strong foundation, and our role is to support and elevate the experience for residents, families, and staff alike.” Impact Senior Living works in close partnership with SRI Management, which provides operational support, strategic direction, and the infrastructure needed to sustain consistent, high-quality performance across its communities. “Our focus is always on creating alignment between people, process, and performance,” said Todd Filippone, President of SRI Management . “These communities are well-positioned within their respective markets, and we look forward to working alongside the Impact team to build on that momentum and deliver a reliable, high-quality resident experience.” The expansion further strengthens Impact Senior Living’s growing portfolio and reinforces its commitment to delivering thoughtful, resident-centered care across Florida and beyond.
More News