Health fair held in memory of EMT
By Crystal Bozek
cbozek@eagletribune.com
NORTH ANDOVER — Linda Latta hopes to see many people at the health fair and blood drive she's planning for Saturday at North Andover High School. She wants to make her son proud.
Michael Latta, a North Andover High graduate, died in April 2007 after suffering an apparent heart attack when the ambulance he was driving crashed into a barn in Dunstable.
"He would like something like this," his mother said. "I wanted to do something different than the typical fundraiser, and fit in the health care profession, which he truly loved."
Michael Latta was only 21 when he died. He was working as an emergency medical technician and was excited about starting paramedic school.
"He never complained about going to work. It was his passion," she said. "He had been in a car accident once and had to go to the hospital by ambulance. He looked at his dad and said, 'This is cool. This is what I want to do.'"
His mother has invited the Police and Fire departments to offer car-seat checks and fire-safety demonstrations. Also due to attend are martial arts groups, rehabilitation centers and fitness centers.
There will also be an auction and raffle to raise money for a scholarship fund. People can win anything from Red Sox tickets to two weeks at Brooks day camp.
Curves, a fitness center for women, will calculate people's body mass index, the Visiting Nurses Association will conduct blood pressure checks, and Advanced Health and Wellness will provide spinal screenings and massage therapy.
There will be people on hand to speak about becoming an EMT.
Linda Latta hopes to make this an annual event.