• Be Someone's H.E.R.O.
  • Make a Difference

Spreading the Word

  • The purpose of our Foundation is to not only raise awareness of brain aneurysms, but to also help Nolan's dream of making this World a better place become a reality. We have talked to countless people about brain aneurysms, the importance of organ donation, and H.E.R.O.'s (Helping Everyone Realize Opportunities). We have shared our story and how we some how found the will and determination to create this non-profit, and to continue every day to inspire our youth in adademics, sports, music, art, environmentalism, kindness, and caring for others.
  • Ray is a former paratrooper, who overcame a career ending injury, lived what would be considered a normal life with his wife Amy and his five children, to only be challenged again by the death of his son Nolan.
  • Amy is in avid blogger with an incredible gift of writing. You can read about her journey in the Living Between Breaths blog.
  • If you are interested in any of the following for your group, business, organization, or school event then contact us for more information:
  • Brain Aneurysm Awareness
  • Organ Donation
  • H.E.R.O. (Helping Everyone Realize Opportunities)
  • Overcoming Adversity
  • Determination
  • Seeing the Best in Situations and in Others
  • Motivational Speeches
  • For more details about having us speak at your event, please CONTACT US.

Team Nolan NB13
(From Left to Right: Amy Berthelette, Holly Audet (Nolan's heart recipient), Ray Berthelette)

Speaking Testimonials

"I cannot thank you enough for sharing yours and Nolan's story with our attendees at the ASHI Regional Workshop in Providence this weekend, you are truly an inspiration."

American Society for Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (ASHI)


"Ray spoke passionately about the Nolan's H.E.R.O Foundation, and emphasized that philanthropy can manifest itself in many ways, not just through the contribution of money to individuals or organizations in need. He spoke about his hero, his son Nolan Berthelette, who not only demonstrated an innate philanthropic spirit during his 14 year life, but how Nolan was still making a difference, demonstrating that even one person can change the world during and after their time on it. Ray's speech also reflected in a powerful way on his own life experiences and lessons, on how he couldn't play sports because he was working after school from a young age, on his experiences in the military, and on the small, close-knit community he now calls home, Pittsfield, Maine. Ray was asked to speak because he too, like his son Nolan, is innately philanthropic. He gives of himself, his time and energy and expertise, and most notably, his generous heart. His talk had an audience of 450 adolescents and 60 adults rapt in attention, and was a gift to the MCI community."

Christopher J. Hopkins, Former Headmaster Maine Central Institute


Being a hero doesn’t take a person that is superior to others or someone with an abnormal power. All it takes is an average human looking to do what is right for others.” ~Nolan Berthelette