Louis died suddenly in October, 2000 at the age of 15 on a soccer field from an undetected congenital heart condition. An AED could have saved his life. Every three days a young person is lost in the US due to sudden cardiac death. Lack of an AED on-site and personnel trained to save a life prevent all attempts to avoid these tragedies.
The Louis T. Savino, III Foundation
"Getting to the Heart of the Matter"
Dedicated to increasing awareness of, and preventing, sudden cardiac death (SCD) in youth.
Lifesaver Awards Dinner & 15th Anniversary Commemoration April, 25th 2015
Thanks to all who made our event a huge success—$11,000 in proceeds going towards the Pennsylvania AEDs in Schools Initiative
Check out our event highlights!
https://vimeo.com/128022583
L to R: Toni Pellegrini (Mother of Louis Savino)
Lorraine Sikora (Aunt of Louis Savino)
Savino Foundation Board of Directors
A Silent Killer
It shatters dreams and ends young lives abruptly. Each month in the U.S. seemingly healthy youth collapse and die suddenly. They lose their lives on
fields, in gyms, schools and on basketball courts due to undetected heart disorders. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can save them, but they are often not available.
Our Mission:
Awareness Education Detection
Established in the year 2000, the Louis Savino, III Foundation raises funds for lifesaving devices known as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). In keeping with our fundraising mission, our focus is on yet another type of AED…Awareness, Education & Detection.
Awareness: providing information about the warning signs of SCD and providing equipment and funding the purchase of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), for schools, gymnasiums and athletic fields.
Education: sponsoring CPR and AED training programs for teachers, coaches and students to provide essential lifesaving training.
Detection: crusading for comprehensive school physical examinations at a time in life when it becomes possible to detect previously unknown symptoms in order to prevent potential SCDs potential early deaths from heart failure.
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
An AED is a device about the size of a laptop computer that analyzes the heart's rhythm for any abnormalities and, if necessary, directs the rescuer to deliver an electrical shock to the victim. This shock, called defibrillation, may help the heart to reestablish an effective
rhythm of its own. For each minute defibrillation is delayed, the chance of survival is reduced by 10 percent.
Early defibrillation is the link in the Chain of Survival! Learn CPR and how to use an AED today.
AED Basics to Save a Life
- Educate first responders as to the protocol for responding to a cardiac emergency.
- Be sure the AED is visible, properly marked and accessible at all times. An AED hidden behind a locked door will never save a life!
- Check the batteries and pads once a month and immediately notify authorities if units are not functioning.
- Using an AED within 4 to 6 minutes increases the survival rate to 60%. Without an AED the survival rate decreases 10% for every passing minute.
- In case of a cardiac emergency, call 911 immediately, then begin CPR/AED usage.
OUR 15-YEAR CRUSADE
- Provided funding for nearly 50 Automated External Defibrillators to schools, camps and youth-based athletic organizations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi, Indiana, South Dakota & California.
- Provided funding for CPR & AED training programs having trained more than 200 coaches, school personnel & parents to save a life.
- Consistently monitored daily news searches across the country for the incidence in youth sudden cardiac death cases and AED saves. Maintain a comprehensive database that charts various trends for the purpose of understanding the population at greatest risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Data has been used for several independent studies in the absence of a national registry.
- Lobbied and testified in Harrisburg to support the passing of several bills related to the improvement of school physicals & the mandating of AEDs in schools.
- Served in various capacities as advocates for keeping youth safe by making school and youth athletic group presentations, creating awareness around hidden heart defects and promoting heart-safe schools.
- Appeared on a number of news shows, documentary videos and newspaper features to promote the necessity of AEDs where youth reside.
IN SEARCH OF AEDS
"He looked like the picture of health"..."she was energetic and so physically fit"..."how can this happen to a child?"
These words frequently accompany the stories in newspapers all across the country. Ever since the passing of young Louis Savino, Foundation members research cases of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in youth from reputable news sources.
Each year, thousands of children, teens and young adults suffer sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) Often, the outcome is sudden death.
In Search of AEDs
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are amazing, intuitive units. They are the main link in the chain of survival. Having the unit readily available and knowing how to use it enables otherwise helpless individuals to do all they can to save a life. AEDs DO make the difference between life and death. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) typically occurs as a result of a structural problem with the heart or as a result of a hereditary heart disorder. It can also occur as a result of heat exhaustion or a concussion to the heart known as commotio cordis. The aftermath of these events can affect children and adults in a profound way and leave them with an indelible memory.
Please join us in our crusade “In Search of AEDs”. Whether you are a parent, grandparent or if you have friends or family with children, ask if they have these units available in their schools, in their gyms and on their fields. If you know of a school, youth organization, camp or student athletic program that is in need of a grant for an Automated External Defibrillator and lifesaving training, please have their representative contact the Savino Foundation at (215) 369-9696.
SEEKING A GRANT FOR AN AED OR LIFESAVING TRAINING?
We fund AEDs and CPR Lifesaving for schools, camps, youth athletic facilities and youth-based programs across the country.
Only organizations who are classified as non-profits qualify for our grants; all applications are subject to in-depthreview by our Funding Committee.
We rely on ambassadors such as school nurses, principals, teachers and parents to spear-head these efforts to help keep youth facilities heart-safe.
Get started today on this LifeSaving Mission!!
Contact us at savinofoundation@aol.com or call 215-369-9696 to receive a funding application.
Awareness Brochure-Heart Disorders in Youth
Help us prevent sudden cardiac death in youth. Today, more than ever before, young people are involved in competitive sports...Prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest
This 30-second piece was created by Parent Heart Watch to raise awareness about undetected heart conditions.
The Louis Savino Foundation is an affiliate of Parent Heart Watch -- a national network of families who have lost children to sudden cardiac arrest.
Gone in a Heartbeat Video
T. Pellegrini & L. Sikora are featured in, Gone in a Heartbeat produced by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Youth Heart Watch group under the direction of Dr. Victoria Vetter, Chief of Cardiology.
Latest U.S. Sudden Cardiac Death Cases in Youth
Age 16 - Florida - Florida Girl Collapses During Soccer Game; Dies at Hospital - 1/06/16
Age 19 - Florida - University of Florida ROTC Student Dies While Working Out - 11/19/15
Age 18 - Iowa - High School Wrestler Dies Hours After a Meet - 12/19/15
Age 12 - Colorado - 7th Grader Dies After Collapsing at Basketball Game - 12/10/15
Age 16 - Iowa - Basketball Player Collapsed during Practice, Later Died - 12/7/15
Age 14 - Louisiana - Holy Family Student Dies After Basketball Game - 12/03/15
Age 14 - California - Notre Dame High School Basketball Player Dies After Collapsing - 11/16/15
Age 17 - Kansas - Football Player Collapses, Dies During Football Game - 11/04/15
Age 17 - Georgia - High School Football Player Dies Following Collapse - 09/22/15
Age 9 - Ohio - Boy Collapses & Dies During Youth Football Practice - 11/05/15
Age 14 - New Jersey - Student Dies After Collapsing Playing Basketball at School - 10/22/15
Age 13 - Arkansas - Eighth-grader dies after passing out at Middle School - 10/20/15
Age 17 - Texas - 'Great kid, athlete' dies after high school football game - 10/17/15
Age 12 - Missouri - Centralia Middle School girl collapses during mile run - 10/02/15
Age 18 - Florida - UCF Student Collapses in Classroom, Dies - 09/23/15
Age - Virgina - Virginia Military Institute cadet dies after collapsing during training - 09/22/15
Age 13 - Illinois - St. Charles Middle School Athlete Dies After Running at Meet - 09/03/15
Age 10 - North Carolina - Charlotte boy dies from heart condition at football practice - 09/02/15
Age 18 - North Carolina - Lake Norman Charter-Hickory Grove Christian Basketball Player Dies Suddenly - 08/21/15
Age 16 - South Carolina - Student dies after collapsing on soccer field in Greenville - 08/19/15
Age 16 - Georgia - Ware County Student Dies After Playing Basketball - 08/18/15
Age 14 - North Carolina - Southern Guilford High School student dies after collapsing during tryout - 08/06/15
Age 16 - Tennessee - Haywood High football player dies after morning practice - 07/30/15
Age 14 - Indiana - Pike High School football player dies after collapsing at practice - 07/09/15
Age 20 - Wisconsin - University of Wisconsin Student Dies during Rock n Sole Marathon - 6/15/15
Age 10 - Florida - Boy dies after collapsing at summer camp in Miami Gardens - 6/10/15
Age 18 - California - Magnolia Football Player Collapses, Dies - 04/20/15
Age 13 - Virginia - Floyd County Student Collapses Dring Basketball, Dies - 07/29/15
Age 15 - Virginia - Teen Dies on Basketball Court - 07/15/15
Age 13 - Missouri - Granite City Boy Collapses at Football Practice, Dies - 06/17/15
Age 17 - Missouri - Missouri High School Student Dies After Collapsing at Swimming Pool - 06/09/15
Age 14 - California - Eighth Grade Student Collapsed and Died During Gym Class - 05/07/15
Age 16 - California - Gregori High School Student Collapses,Dies during Physical Education Class - 5/5/15
Age 16 - Texas - Student Dies After Collapsing on Campus - 5/1/15
Age 12 - Texas - Boy Dies After Collapsing in Physical Education Class - 4/24/15
Age 15 - AZ - Laveen Student Playing Basketball Collapses & Dies - 04/27/15
Age 15 - Pennsylvania - St. Joe's Prep Footbal Player Collapses, Dies During Workout - 04/18/15
Age 16 - California - High School Track Athlete Dies Suddenly After Collapsing - 03/17/15
Age 16 - New York - High School Student Dies After Second Heart Attack following Track Practice - 03/16/15
Age 17 - Missouri - Student Suffers Fatal Cardiac Arrest at Track Practice - 03/05/15
Age 15 - Tennessee - Hillsboro High Team Mourns Loss of Player - 03/03/15
Age 13 - Illinois - Boy Dies after Collapsing During Basketball Game - 02/06/2015
Age 13 - Michigan - Frankenmuth Community Mourns Loss of Middle School Student - 02/02/2015
Age 13 - California - Boy Dies After Collapsing in Gym Class - 01/26/2015
Age 15 - Rhode Island - Rogers Student Dies After Collapse at Basketball Practice - 12/30/14
Age 20 - South Carolina - Basketball Player Dies Suddenly - 12/24/14
Age 18 - Georgia - East Cobb High School Student Collapses at Desk after a Presentation - 12/19/14
Age 16 - Nebraska - Teen Dies After Fainting on School Bus - 12/02/14
Age 14 - Minnesota - Hockey Player Collapses on Ice During Game, Later Dies - 11/14/14
Age 17 - Georgia - Josey High School Student's Fatal Collapse - 10/13/14
Age 13 - Illinois - Boy dies after collapsing during basketball game in Plainfield - 2/6/15
Age 13 - Michigan - Frankenmuth Community Mourns Loss of 13 Year Old Middle School Student - 2/2/15
Age 13 - Delano Eight Grade Boy Collapses, Dies During Gym Class - 1/27/15
Age 13 - California - Boy Dies After Collapsing in Gym Class - 1/26/15
Age 18 - Massachusetts - Barnstable Man Dies While Playing Basketball - 12/30/14
Age 15 - Rhode Island - Boy Dies After Collapsing at Rogers High Basketball Practice - 12/30/14
Age 18 - Georgia - Lassiter Student Dies After Collapsing in Class - 12/18/14
Age 16 - Oregon - Lincoln City Student Collapses, Later Dies During Physical Education Class - 12/16/14
Age 13 - Texas - Port Arthur Student Collapses in School Halls, Later Died - 11/06/14
Age 12 - Alabama-Student Collapsed at Church Event, Later Died - 11/05/14
Age 17-Georgia_Josey High School Student Collapsed & Died During Pick-up Basketball Game -10/13/14
Age 7-California-Student Dies After Collapsing in Classroom - 10/02/14
Age 17-NorthCarolina-High School Football Player Dies after Collapsing - 9/26/14
Age 12 - New Jersey - Salem Football Player Collapses, Dies during Practice - 9/23/14
Age 15 - Florida-Krop Senior High Student Collapses in PE Class, Later Dies - 9/21/14
Age 17-Michigan-High School Student Reportedly Dies after Collapsing - 9/10/14
Age 16-New York-Curtis High School Football Player Dies after Collapsing at Practice - 9/01/14
Age 16-California-Calexico Student Dies at School of Apparent Cardiac Arrest - 8/29/14
Age 13-Alabama-Pell City Eight Grader Collapses in Class; Died of Heart Problem - 8/28/14
Age 18-Maryland-Morgan State University Athlete Dies after Collapsing - 8/24/14
Age 18-North Carolina-Belmont Abbey Soccer Player Dies After Collapse - 8/22/14
Age 14-South Carolina-High School Student Collapses on Track, Dies - 8/20/14
Age 13-Illinois-Boy Collapses, Dies at Basketball Practice - 8/20/14
Age 14-Florida_Boy Dies at High School Football Camp - 8/13/14
Age 16-Pennsylvania-Burrell High Football Player Collapses, Dies at First Practice - 8/06/14
Age 20-Colorado-Woman Collapses During Half-Marathon, Then Dies - 7/23/14
Age 22-Minnesota-WSU Football Player Dies During Workout - 7/21/14
Age 17-California-High School Tennis Player Dies 8 Days after Collapse on Run - 7/16/14
Age 15-West Virginia-Healthy Teen Athlete Dies Suddenly - 5/24/14
Age 7 - Heart Defect Cited in Philly School Boy's Death - 5/21/14
Age 14 - Mount Laurel, NJ student collapses, dies during physical education class - 5/21/14
Age 13 - Student Collapses, Dies after Physical Education Class - 5/14/14
Age 16-Teen Collapsed during Basketball Game, Died 3 Days Later - 5/09/14
Age 13 - Student Collapsed during PE Class - 5/09/14
Age 16-Teen Basketball Player Collapsed, Died During Tournament - 5/03/14
Age 10-South Carolina-Boy Died at Baseball Practice had Enlarged Heart - 5/01/14
Age 17 - Illinois - Marist High School Student Dies after Collapsing at Senior Overnight Event - 4/25/14
Age 14 - Connecticut - Teen Collapses, Dies at YWCA - 3/24/14
Age 16 - Virginia - Student Collapses During Half-Marathon - 3/18/14
Age 16- Virginia-Teen Dies after Shamrock Half-Marathon - 3/17/14
Age 16-Teen Collapsed and Died During School Field Trip - 2/28/14
Age 14 - Middle School Student Collapses, Dies Following Basketball Game - 2/18/14
Age 14 - Student Collapses During Track Tryouts, Later Dies - 2/17/14
Age 14 - Student Collapses on Campus, Dies After Running Laps - 2/17/14
Age 12 - Tennessee - Myrtle Student Dies From Cardiac Arrest - 2/07/14
Age 21-California-Defensive End Dies After Collapsing During Workout - 2/07/14
Age 16-Teen Athlete Dies During Track/Field Practice - 2/04/14
Age 15 - Student Collapses, Dies During Basketball Game - 1/30/14
Age 12 - Texas - Student Dies After Collapse at Middle School - 1/29/14
Age 15 - Student Collapses, Dies During Cheerleading Practice - 1/23/14
Age 17 - Student Collapses, Dies Following Basketball Game at School - 1/22/14
Age 12 - California - Seemingly Healthy Athlete Dies Playing Soccer - 1/20/14
Age 15 - Godby Student Collapses, Dies During Track Practice - 1/14/14
Latest U.S. Lives Saved with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Age 15 - New Jersey - Defibrillator Saves Colonia Basketball Player's Life - 1/05/16
Age 18 - Colorado - High School Football Player's Life saved by Athletic Trainer with AED - 10/05/25
Age 14 - Utah - Utah Student Collapses During Gym Class; Saved by Vice Principal - 10/14/15
Age 14 - Minnesota - Student suffers cardiac arrest at gym class; Saved by an AED - 10/22/15
Age 16 - Minnesota - Student Saved By AED after Collapsing in Gym Class - 10/20/15
Age 16 - Texas - Teen Revived 20 minutes without a pulse; Claims to have seen Jesus - 05/05/15
Age 13 - Texas - Student Who Collapsed After Soccer Game-Saved by an AED - 05/09/15
Age 9 - California - aramedics Revive Boy Who Collapsed in Classroom - 03/23/15
Age 6 - South Dakota - First Grader Saved by AED in Gym Class - 03/04/15
Age 15 - Texas - Athletic Trainer Saves Teen's Life - 01/30/2015
Age 48 - New York - Man who Collapsed During Pickup Basketball Game Saved by AED - 01/28/2015
Age 15 - California - Coach Saves Athlete's Life - 11/18/2015
Age 15 - California - Coaches Save Athlete's Life - 11/18/14
Age 16 - Texas - Bystanders Help Rescue Teen Soccer Player After Collapse - 9/29/14
Age 13-Kansas-Middle School Student Collapses & Saved During a Cross-Country Meet - 9/23/14
Age 16 - Louisiana-Neville Football Player Collapses and is Saved by an AED - 9/10/14
Age 14-Arkansas-Nurses Resuscitate Collapsed Player at Watson Chapel - 8/29/14
Age 27-Pennsylvania-Good Samaritans Save Runner In Cardiac Arrest Along Schuykill River - 8/24/14
Age 15-Alabama-Spanish Fort Sophomore Football Player Saved on Football Field - 8/06/14
Age 16-Michigan-First Responders Save Teen in Cardiac Arrest - 7/03/14
New Jersey-Middle School Student Saved by AED-Teachers Called Heroes - 6/11/14
Age 6-South Carolina-Taylor Girl Survives Heart Attack; Thanks Responders - 5/28/14
Age 16-California-High School Student Faced Near Death Experience - 5/24/14
Age 15-New Jersey-School's Athletic Director Revives Track Athlete - 3/19/14
Age 17-New Jersey-Police Save Life of Fallen Runner - 3/17/14
Age 15 - Student Saved by AED - 1/28/14
< Tennessee-Joint Effort Saves Student's Life - 1/20/14
Age 3 - Team Effort Saves Little Boy's Life -11/01/13
Age 17-Ohio-Student Survives Sudden Death Arrest - 10/21/13
Age 22 - Bakersfield woman honors Fresno cops who saved her life 11 months ago - 9/17/13
Age 11 - CPR and AED 'chain of survival' saves Folsom boy - 7/26/13
Age 18 - Athletic trainer's quick response helps save player who collapsed at AAU tournament -7/17/13
Age 17 - AED saves life of teen who collapses during basketball tournament - 7/17/13
Age 21 - Lifeguard Saved by Fellow Lifeguard - 7/09/13
Age 52 - Friends Save Man in Gym with an AED - 6/18/13
Age 13 - Maplewood Student's Life Saved by Athletic Trainer - 6/03/13
Age 16 - High school student collapses in school hallway, saved by AED - 5/22/13
Age 13 - Athletic trainer revives young runner at race finish - 5/20/13
Age 16 - Coach hailed for saving High School football player who collapses during practice - 5/16/13
Age 15 - Teen's life is Saved by 3 Heroes and an AED - 5/09/13
Age 67 - AED accessibility saves man's life - 5/3/13
Age Adult - High School Coach and Trainer save father's life - 5/1/13
Age 13 - Girl saves teammate's life with CPR learned the day before - 4/19/13
Age 7th grader - Teacher saves student with CPR - 4/9/13
Age 62 - School nurse saves janitor's life - 4/1/13
Age 21 - Paramedic units save 21 year old who collapsed playing basketball with his father - 3/31/13
3rd grader - Teacher and nurse save boy who collapsed during gym with AED, CPR - 2/25/13
Age 18 - School staff revive student who collapsed at school - 2/12/13
Age 15 - High school girl in coma after collapsing before basketball game - 1/31/13
College student revived after collapsing on treadmill - 1/26/13
More stories prior to December, 2012
Savino Foundation in the News and Related Articles
Can Energy Drinks Kill You? -- Sudden Cardiac Deaths in Young People Linked to Energy Drink Consumption - 04/03/2015
AED's in schools ? Priceless? - 5/15/12
Should Young Athletes Be Screened for Heart Risk? - 4/30/12
Syncope/ seizure may precede cardiac arrest in young children - 12/28/10
Be Heart-Smart with your Young Athlete - 12/29/10
Study: Uninterrupted Chest Compressions Key To CPR - 6/08/10
Heart Ailments Aren't Always for the Elderly - 6./11/10
Exercise Induced Asthma or Cardiac Disease-The Need for AEDs - 9/07/10
Routine EKG Testing Could Save Young Lives, Standford Study Says - 3/01/10
Adams' Passing Could Result in Testing Changes - 1/24/10
Lewis and Adams: Latest Deaths In Athletes Show Need for Safer Health Measures - 1/17/10
Sixth Graders Heart Screenings Shock Researchers - 12/02/09
Teen Athletes Need Heart Screenings, Study Suggests - 11/30/09
Knowing Family Health May Prevent Athlete Deaths -11/27/09
Young Athletes Need Dual Screening Tests for Heart Defects - 11/15/09
Determining the Best Way to Prevent Sudden Death in Athletes - 11/06/09
Caution in the heat--Ease student athletes into summer sports practices - 8/1/09
Even 9-Year Olds can learn CPR - 7/31/09
Can't take the heat? Get off the field - 7/10/09
Coaches take steps to protect athletes during high heat - 7/15/09
Sports teams begin season with new rules about training in hot weather - 7/15/09
Texas schools screen for heart problems, with shocking results - 6/05/09
How can sudden cardiac death be prevented in young adults? - 6/01/09
Debate over heart screenings refuses to go away - 5/29/09
Families Of Sudden Unexplained Death Victims Should Receive Comprehensive Cardiogenetic Testing - 5/26/09
Heart to heart: Sudden cardiac death in athletes - 5/19/09
Brothers Owe Their Lives to a Routine Physical - 2/6/09
Surprise drills at school keep kids at the ready for cardiac cases - 2/5/09
Increasing the Chances of Surviving Sudden Cardiac Arrest - 2/4/09
Dying to Play--Why don't we prevent more sudden deaths in athletes? - 2/3/09
VIDEO-Gone in a Heartbeat-Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
VIDEO-How to Use an AED
Disney To Install Defibrillators at Some of Resort's Thrill Rides - 1/10/09
Designed to deliver life-saving jolts, devices are too often hidden
Fallen PRP player's mother still wonders 'why?'
Russian's death sends chill through hockey world
FIFA extends compulsory heart testing program
Let�s Improve Medical Screening
CPR Can Save a Life
Young Athletes Who were Suddenly Stricken
Do More to Protect Our Children
Preventing sports tragedies
Developing Successful Public Access Defibrillator Programs
The New Face of CPR
How Workplace Safety Training Programs and Corporate AED Programs Can Save Lives and Liability Claim
DEFIBRILLATORS - More life-savers around, but some afraid to use them
More articles
Contact Us
Louis T. Savino, III Foundation
215 W. Hanover Street
Newtown, PA 18940
Telephone: (215) 369-9696 E-Mail: savinofoundation@aol.com
Savino Foundation AED funding in the USA (nearly 50 AEDs placed so far)
