Community Rallies Around Brevard County’s Polly Helm as She Awaits Second Heart Transplant
By Space Coast Daily // June 5, 2026
Donate Today To Help Polly!
ABOVE VIDEO: Fitness Instructor Polly Helm talks about the advantages of a locally owned gym and why she loves Fitness Club Merritt Island. To contribute to Polly Helm’s fundraising campaign and learn more about her story, visit her GoFundMe page at Gofundme.com/f/pollys-second-heart.
To contribute to Polly Helm’s fundraising campaign and learn more about her story, visit her GoFundMe page at Gofundme.com/f/pollys-second-heart.
BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – For those who know Polly Helm, life has always been guided by what she calls the “Five Fs” — family, friends, faith, fitness, and fun.
A familiar face throughout the Space Coast community, Helm spent years inspiring others as a fitness instructor at Fitness Club Merritt Island while also teaching senior fitness classes and working part-time as a travel agent.
Her positive attitude, dedication to helping others, and passion for living life to the fullest have touched countless lives across Brevard County.
But today, Helm faces the greatest challenge of her life.
More than a decade ago, Helm contracted a virus that ultimately settled in her heart, causing severe damage and leading to the need for a heart transplant.
Through determination, faith, and the support of her loved ones, she became what many describe as an exceptional transplant patient, embracing her second chance at life with gratitude and enthusiasm.
For years, life after her transplant was filled with the activities she loved most. Unfortunately, her transplanted heart is now failing, and doctors have determined that she requires a second heart transplant in order to survive.
Helm is currently receiving care at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, where she remains under close medical supervision while awaiting her lifesaving procedure next week.
Following the transplant, she is expected to remain in Jacksonville for at least three additional months during recovery before being cleared to return home.
To contribute to Polly Helm’s fundraising campaign and learn more about her story, visit her GoFundMe page at Gofundme.com/f/pollys-second-heart.
The lengthy medical journey comes with significant financial burdens. While recovering in Jacksonville, Helm is responsible for lodging, food, transportation, toiletries and other daily living expenses.
At the same time, home maintenance and household expenses continue to accumulate back on the Space Coast.
Because of her medical condition and recovery requirements, Helm expects to have little to no income for at least a year, making community support more important than ever.
Friends, family, and supporters have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help offset the overwhelming costs associated with her transplant and recovery.
Those who know Helm say her life has always been about serving others, encouraging healthy living and bringing joy to those around her.
Now, they are asking the community she has spent years uplifting to help support her during this critical chapter.
To contribute to Polly Helm’s fundraising campaign and learn more about her story, visit her GoFundMe page at Gofundme.com/f/pollys-second-heart.
Every donation, no matter the amount, will help provide financial relief as Helm focuses on what matters most — receiving her second heart transplant and continuing her journey toward recovery.
To contribute to Polly Helm’s fundraising campaign and learn more about her story, visit her GoFundMe page at Gofundme.com/f/pollys-second-heart.
ABOUT FITNESS CLUB MERRITT ISLAND
Locally owned and operated, Fitness Club Merritt Island, located at 1450 North Courtenay Pkwy. Suite 15 in the Shoppes of Victoria Square is among the longest-running fitness centers in Brevard County.
Founded in 2003, the club opened as Island Fitness of Brevard by a group of friends and has made many changes and improvements while remaining committed to the loyal following built up over the years and among the few privately owned gyms on the Space Coast.
“Locally owned and operated, we pride ourselves in offering our services to help train, educate, and inform our members’ bodies and mindsets,” said co-owner Lou Manley.
“Our full-service facility provides an ideal space for all ages to learn to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Our gym has everything needed to help you reach your wellness goals. We were fortunate enough to move to North Courtenay and increase our space to 21,000 square feet. By making this change, we could offer our members so much more under one roof.”
Members will find a bounty of classes and amenities at the newly expanded facility, including an array of brand-new modern high-performance Hammer Strength training equipment, an on-site childcare area and a protein and juice bar.
After a recent expansion project, the gym now features more than 21,000 square feet and includes additional exercise equipment, a new aerobics room, a turf area, additional wet areas and more.
Fitness Club Merritt Island offers the Space Coast’s best personal trainers for hire, fitness level esthetics, child care, the best and most varied exercise classes, and many more convenient amenities.
“Above all, we take pride in the cleanliness of our facility,” said Manley.
