Ascension St. Vincent’s nurse turns passion for fishing into fundraiser for the American Heart Association

One of Sara Burk’s fondest childhood memories was fishing with her family. Years later, as an OR nurse at St. Vincent’s Riverside, she seized the opportunity to use her hobby to raise funds for heart research.

Inspired by her family’s battle with heart disease, she organized the 904 Redfish Tournament, which quickly gained community support and raised over $35,000 for the American Heart Association.

Sara, who has worked at St. Vincent’s Riverside since graduating from nursing school, shared that both of her parents have struggled with heart conditions. Her father recently underwent open-heart surgery, while her mother, who has had a pacemaker for over a decade, is currently facing new health challenges. 

“It’s been an ongoing health issue with my family,” Sara said. “That’s why I wanted to do something to help the American Heart Association raise awareness. This tournament seemed like the perfect way to combine my passion for fishing with my desire to give back.”

The 904 Redfish Tournament, which took place at Palm Valley Outdoors in early October, featured a traditional fishing competition. Participants weighed their catches and competed for prizes. The event went beyond fishing, incorporating raffles, merchandise sales and educational opportunities to support her cause. 

While organizing a tournament might seem overwhelming, Sara’s motivation comes from her personal experience. She has seen first-hand the toll heart conditions have taken on her family and the heart patients she’s cared for at St. Vincent’s Riverside who navigate similar healthcare journeys. 

“My dad was born with a congenital heart problem, and after he went through surgery earlier this year, I thought, ‘Let’s do the tournament now,’” Sara said. “It was a way to help take his mind off the surgery and focus on something positive.”

Her roots in the fishing community run deep. Growing up, she was often out on the water with her family, learning to cast and reel in fish from a young age. The love for the sport continued into adulthood, where she participated in various tournaments alongside her family and friends. When the idea for the 904 Redfish Tournament started to take shape, she was able to draw on her own experiences to navigate the complexities of running a fishing event.

“I’ve helped other people with their tournaments and the behind-the-scenes work,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to do one, but I knew it had to be a really good cause. So, I finally decided to go for it. It’s better than I could have ever expected.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to make the 904 Redfish Tournament an annual event. “It’s the first one, and I’m planning on doing it every year around the same time,” Sara said. “I started it from the ground up — drawing the logo on a piece of notebook paper — and it’s been a lot of work, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Sara’s commitment to helping her community was recently recognized at the Women’s Health and Robotic Symposium, where she received the “Making a Difference” award. She doesn’t plan to slow down, saying she is excited for any chance to extend the healing and compassion she practices at the hospital to the wider community.

“Being there for people is what living Ascension’s mission means to me,” she said. “I always want to help everyone as much as possible, whether in the operating room or through events like this. It brings me so much joy.”