As you read Louis Acompora’s tragic story below please know that Louis did not die in vain. Louis’s life will always be a gift to each of us living here on Long Island, in NYS and across America as a whole. Since his death just 10 short years ago, almost 50 lives have been saved and countless others are now protected. Louis lost his life so that others might live. After reading this page, we hope that it motivates you to honor Louis on the 10 year anniversary of his death by donating a minimum of just $12.00 to any of our AED recipient’s pages. Just “click” the “save a life, donate now” button found on each page of this web site. If the recipients you know have achieved an AED, PLEASE, just donate to another and when you can, share this story with others so that they can help as well. Louis gave us so much to be grateful for. Now it is our turn to give back to him by saving others. Through this community spirit and partnership, in years to come, we will all look back and know that WE all have helped Louis and his family in not just saving lives but protecting so many families from senseless suffering.

While only a freshman at Northport High School, Louis Acompora was already a highly touted lacrosse goalie. As the captain of the freshman team, he was being groomed to be the next star varsity goaltender for Northport, a lacrosse powerhouse at the high school level. On March 25, 2000, in his first high school game, tragedy struck. With his parents on the sidelines, he blocked what appeared to be a routine shot with his chest. He took a few steps and collapsed on the field. The coaches and trainers rushed out and after realizing Louis was not breathing they began to administer CPR. The paramedics arrived almost 15 minutes after Louis’ collapse. They attempted defibrillation but were too late. Louis passed away. He was 14 years old. Louis’ parents, John and Karen Acompora came to realize his death could have been prevented if the school had owned a portable automated external defibrillator (AED). A defibrillator revives cardiac arrest victims with an electric shock to the chest. After Louis died, the Acompora’s started a grassroots campaign to raise awareness among schools and other public institutions about the importance of owning an AED, a simple device that would have saved Louis’ life.

The Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation was founded to ensure that similar tragedies are prevented. The Foundation is committed to seeing an improvement in sports safety with a special focus on the placement of AEDs in all schools. Over the past ten years, the Foundation has made tremendous strides. With numerous public appearances, including an interview on the Oprah Show in May 2001, the Acompora’s have attracted national attention to the Foundation's mission.