I was extremely moved last month when I attended a meeting and heard the heartbreaking story of Louis J Acompora who was a healthy 14 year old Lacrosse player.

On March 25th, 2000, while playing a high school game, he was hit with a ball and died when he suffered what is called Commotio Cordis, a syndrome that that results from a blunt impact to the chest which leads to cardiac arrest.

I found out that young athlete's are especially at risk due to the pliability of their chest. Athlete's wearing chest protectors have dies while playing baseball, lacrosse, hockey and softball.

Resuscitation of victims of Commotio Cordis is rare without the almost immediate use of defibrillator.

The Louis J Acompora Memorial Foundation, has made great strides to pass local laws requiring schools and county buildings, parks and rec centers to have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). They also work to raise awareness and to educate and teach parents and personnel about Commotio Cordis and AEDs.

Please take a moment and find out more about their cause at www.la12.org. As a parent of an athlete participating in sports for over 12 years, I was amazed that I did not know.