EVERETT June 6: Two years after the sudden passing of her husband from a heart attack in 2021, Tara Polk didn’t know how to continue to celebrate the memory of her husband.
“What am I supposed to do now? How do I keep saying his name? What do I do to keep him present?,” Cedar Wood Elementary teacher Tara thought. Both Robert and her being educators, she decided the best thing she could do was educate others about heart health. And so was born the Healthy Heart Fair.
The 2nd annual Healthy Heart Fair will take place this weekend and aims to teach the community about the importance of heart health in remembrance of Former Everett Public Schools Athletic Director Robert C. Polk.
On April 11, 2021, Robert was working in the yard. All the symptoms he experienced could be rationalized to Tara and Robert. Like his upper back pain, and shortness of breath, all could make sense for exercise in the garden on a warm day.
It wasn’t until he got out of the shower did Tara think that something was truly wrong.
“When he got out of the shower his temperament and his facial expression was different. It wasn’t completely him anymore. And so I knew something was wrong. And I thought well he’s having muscle spasms. But never did we go to heart,” Tara said.
In her research on the American Heart Association website after his passing, she said she could check off every heart attack symptom that Robert experienced that day. It bothered Tara that Robert and she didn’t know what was going on with his body or the signs that needed to be checked. So she decided she wanted people to be better educated Tara said.
Tara has shared Robert’s story over the years with friends, family and community members. With more than one instance of saving someone’s life.
“Our neighbor had the same symptoms, and his wife clicked and said, ‘Oh my gosh get out of the shower’, called 911, and he’s alive. We have had multiple stories like that. They recognized ‘Wait a minute, I think this is what happened to Robert.’ So, I know that education is powerful,” Tara said.
The fair is from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. June 8, at Everett Memorial Stadium. This event is open to everyone, and no tickets are required.
The 90-minute Healthy Heart Fun Run will be held on the track from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. There will be special prizes for the top finishers who complete the most laps in two divisions: age 10 and under and age 11+. Finisher medals and certificates of achievement will be awarded to the first 100 participants according to a press release from YMCA of Snohomish County.
“Run or walk for 15 minutes or join us for the full 90 minutes,” Gael Gebow, Association Director of Healthy Living & Membership Advancement, YMCA of Snohomish County said. “Any type of movement is a simple way to help prevent heart disease and cardiac events, as well as so many other adverse health conditions.”
Aquasox personality Steve Willits who emceed for the event last year will continue the tradition Saturday. He and Robert would cross paths between athletic events.
“Robert Polk did so many wonderful things for this community and I was honored to know him and to witness firsthand the impact that he had on so many others. To be a part of an event that carries his name and continues his legacy means a great deal to me,” Willits wrote in an email.
When first calling on the YMCA of Snohomish County and Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett in 2023, Tara said without hesitation did they agree to be a part of this event.
“’Anything. Anything for Robert’ they said. It’s just so gratifying to have so many people say how much they cared about my husband,” Tara said.
See here to donate to the Healthy Heart Fair: https://healthyheartfair.com/donate
Schedule:
10:00 – Fair Opens (FREE ENTRY)
10:30 – YMCA Fun Run/Walk Info
-Heart Attack Survivor Panel
-Bike Safety with Cascade Bikes
10:45 – Yoga with Accidentallyfit Meghan
11:30 – Yoga with Boss Babe
12:15 – Yoga with Garima
10:00 – 1:00 Throughout the event, there will be opportunities to learn about heart health from healthcare professionals as well as healthy eating habits, heart attack signs and games.
The fair is in partnership with Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, IRG Physical & Hand Therapy, Village Concepts Assisted Living, BossBabe Yoga, YMCA of Snohomish County, Motley Z00 Animal Rescue, Safe Citizens Project CPR and First Aid and Accidentallyfit Meghan.
Participants are encouraged to wear red and bring water. The Aquasox’s own Webbly will be making an appearance this year.
“Pay attention to your body and be present. None of us can live a stress-free life. That’s not practical. But we can take a moment and breathe. We can take a moment and recognize something in my body is changing. Ask those questions,” Tara said.
Here is a list of heart attack symptoms provided by the American Heart Association:
- Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away and then return. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
- Discomfort on other upper body parts: Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath: This feeling often comes along with chest discomfort. But it can occur before the chest discomfort.
- Cold sweat
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness