Joined by administrators and board of education members, local officials and senior members of the football and field hockey teams, Karen Acompora and members of the Louis Acompora Foundation, the West Babylon School District recently held an official ribbon cutting to celebrate the installation of a new outdoor automated external defibrillator SaveStation, generously donated by the Louis Acompora Foundation.

Located near the high school’s athletic fields, the new AED SaveStation provides immediate access in the event of a cardiac emergency. The device is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, helping ensure that lifesaving equipment is accessible when it is needed most.

The AED requires no special training to operate and provides step-by-step instructions to guide a bystander through its use during an emergency.

“The immediate access to an AED gives us the support and resources to potentially save a life,” said Shawn Hanley, deputy superintendent for human resources. “This initiative reflects what we value as a school district; creating a safe environment for students, staff and community members who use our facilities.”

The donation reflects the shared commitment of the West Babylon School District and the Louis Acompora Foundation to promoting safety and preparedness in school and community athletic environments.

The Louis Acompora Foundation was founded in memory of 14-year-old Louis Acompora, who died in 2000 after suffering sudden cardiac arrest during his first high school lacrosse game. In the years since, his parents have continued their mission of expanding access to AEDs and helping communities be better prepared for cardiac emergencies.

The installation at West Babylon School District is part of the foundation’s ongoing efforts to place lifesaving AEDs in schools and athletic facilities throughout local communities.

The district is grateful to the Louis Acompora Foundation for its generous donation and partnership in helping create a safer environment for students, staff, athletes and community members who use the district’s facilities.