About the Foundation

Established in December, 2000 by Louis' Mother and Aunt, the Louis Savino, III Foundation raises funds for lifesaving devices known as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). In keeping with their charitable mission, the foundation's focus is on yet another type of AED…Awareness, Education & Detection.

The Louis T. Savino, III Foundation conducts ongoing fundraising efforts to promote awareness of sudden cardiac death in youth and to purchase AED’s for schools, camps and sports facilities. As our funding permits, we provide opportunities for ongoing CPR and AED training. To date we have donated more than $60,000 locally and across the country towards these essential AED units and important lifesaving programs. The Savino Foundation’s mission is to see that all schools and youth facilities are Heart-Safe.

OUR GOAL: AN AED IN EVERY SCHOOL, IN EVERY GYMNASIUM AND ON EVERY FIELD & PEOPLE TRAINED TO USE THEM.

Louis's Story

Louis T. Savino, III died at the age of 15 on October 12, 2000 at Macclesfield in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, during a soccer practice session.

With his mother looking on, his coach and two others began performing CPR. Unfortunately, the lack of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on the field prevented any attempts to save Louis' young life.

Louis died of an undetected congenital heart disorder known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Congenital heart disease is the leading cause of non-traumatic sudden death in youths with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy being the most common cause.He died of an unsuspected and unexpected cardiac arrest.

Louis attended the William Penn Charter School and was in the beginning of his Sophomore year at the time of his death. An “A” student, community service volunteer and sports enthusiast, Louis dreamed of pursuing a career as a sportscaster.

A Mother's Message

Nothing could have ever prepared me for the horrible event that I witnessed on October 12, 2000. My hope is to spare parents from experiencing, as I did, the sudden unexpected and ultimate tragedy of losing one's child.

As parents we are responsible for our children and we must take steps to act on their behalf. Be certain that your child's school and playing fields are equipped with AED’s and that an Emergency Response Plan is in effect should a child be stricken, as my child was. It is crucial that your child's physician be aware of any family history of heart disease, SCD in a relative who died before the age of 50, or Marfan's Syndrome.

Of vital importance are any new or unusual symptoms experienced by your child. They should be thoroughly investigated by his/her physician. Symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain and blackouts during exercise should not be ignored. If need be, insist on tests such as EKG, stress EKG and echocardiogram to determine if a heart problem exists.

Life everyday is quite different for me now and I know it will never be the same as the days I shared with my son, Louis. Now I look to my dreams to share time with him.

My time is now spent on a crusade to spread awareness and to strive for the prevention of sudden cardiac death in our youth. I do this in memory of Louis and the hundreds of other young people whose lives have been cut short in the same way.

Think AED is an initiative created by The Louis T. Savino, III Foundation to raise awareness of the importance of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in schools. We work with school administrators to educate on the importance of AEDs and provide them with the tools to establish AED fundraising initiatives.

Having an AED unit readily available in schools with individuals trained to use the device does make the difference between life and death.

If you are interested in learning more about Think AED or would like to start a Think AED campaign at your school please visit thinkaed.org.

SPREAD THE WORD!

Order a Think AED T-Shirt for only $25.

For every 50 t-shirts we sell we can equip a school or youth organization with a state-of-the-art automated external defibrillator.