|
Defibrillators for Special Needs' Homes a Fundraising Focus
December 10, 2009 By DEBORAH S. MORRIS deborah.morris@newsday.com
Two charitable foundations created to help people with special needs are joining forces to raise enough money to install automated external defibrillators in group homes across the state.
 |
|
Photo credit: Newsday/Photo by Richard Slattery | President of the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation, Karen Acompora, mother of Louis a 14 year old boy who died while playing Lacrosse because there was no AED (Automated External Defibrillator), on site to revive him, shows an AED unit, during a press conference announcing the launching of the "12 for Life" program at the National Foundation for Human Potential. (December 10, 2009)
|
Officials from the National Foundation for Human Potential and the founders of the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation unveiled the "12 for Life NYS" campaign Thursday in Old Bethpage.
The aim is to encourage individuals, families, companies and civic organizations to raise enough money by either donating, adopting, or creating a group or team for a specific home, to buy an AED defibrillator for it. The campaign has set up a Web site to enable members of the public to choose a way to make a donation of $12. The cost of one defibrillator is $1,200.
"This is about saving a life," said Karen Acompora, whose son Louis died in 2000 after being hit in the chest with a lacrosse ball. There was no AED on site to revive him when his heart stopped.
The "12 for Life" campaign was created in memory of the 10th anniversary of Louis Acompora's death. The 14-year-old was the captain of his lacrosse team and wore the number 12. Organizers hope to fund as many group homes by May 31, Louis' birthday.
Acompora said the devices will serve as an extra measure of safety for those who are especially fragile and vulnerable.
Michael Cleary, 47, of East Northport knows firsthand the importance of these devices. Two years ago while playing volleyball with some friends at an East Northport gym he collapsed face down.
"At first my friends thought I was kidding," Cleary said. "But when they turned me over I was blue."
A nurse came and performed CPR but nothing happened. Luckily an AED defibrillator was just 50 feet away and one of the trainers went to work on Cleary.
Cleary said his story may not have had such a happy ending if it hadn't been for John and Karen Acompora. The couple had become well-known around town after their son's death for espousing the importance of the devices in public places.
"They started a grassroots effort," Cleary said. "John is the one who insisted the gym owner get an AED."
Information about the effort is available at 12forlifenys.org.
|
