Renegades Lacrosse Club Teams Donates Defibrillator

From left Todd Esposito and Jim Byrnes of the GC Renegades, Jill and Dr. Craig Levine founders of the Robbie Levine Foundation and Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. at press conference where GC Renegades received donated defibrillator from the Robbie Levine Foundation

Jill and Dr. Craig Levine, who founded the Robbie Levine Foundation in memory of their nine year old son who died tragically of sudden cardiac arrest after rounding the bases and reaching home plate during a little league practice in 2005, announced at a press conference January 1st their plans to make 2008 the "Year of the Defibrillator". State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., Representatives from the Garden City Renegades, members of the North Merrick Fire Department, and Robbie's former teammates joined the Levine's in support of their efforts.

"Defibrillators save lives. Children already wear helmets and other pads when playing sports to help prevent injury. Now we need to raise awareness about the importance of having lifesaving safety equipment that can help prevent a tragedy. Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at anytime. If a defibrillator can save just one life and spare one family from the having to live with the pain of losing a loved one, our efforts will be a success," said Jill Levine

Merrick Fire Chief demonstrates how to properly use a defibrillator

Throughout 2008, the Robbie Levine Foundation will undertake a grass-roots campaign to raise awareness about the importance of having defibrillators available when children are playing sports. The Foundation will conduct a letter writing campaign to youth athletic directors, schools, and municipalities, organize a US Postal Stamp petition drive and seek the support of local, state, and federal officials.

"It shouldn't take the loss of a child to effect change but Jill and Dr. Craig Levine refused to let their son's passing be in vain. They have made it possible, through their son's foundation, for programs like the Garden City Renegades to have an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) on the sidelines at every practice and game. Never again should a family endure the tragedy this family has suffered because there was no AED on the field. The Renegades honor Robbie's memory and will continue to advocate the presence of AED's at every youth athletic event", said Jim Byrnes of the Garden City Renegades Lacrosse Club.

In a cardiac emergency, the difference between life and death is only a matter of minutes. Having defibrillators readily accessible saves precious time in helping victims survive. The difference between losing a life and saving one may come down to "where is the defibrillator and how long will it take me to get it here?" Why shouldn't they be on the sidelines, with the rest of the team's equipment?

The Renegades will have an AED on the sidelines of every practice, game and clinic and every team will have personnel trained in CPR/AED. The Renegades have arranged, with the support of the Robbie Levine Foundation and the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation, a CPR/AED training sessions to be held for anyone interested in learning this lifesaving technique. Please contact us at www.gcrenegadeslacrosse.com and leave a message in our guestbook. We will get back to you with the date and time of the next available training session.