On November 18, 2015 Pepi Dragotta, a 39 year old husband and father of three, suffered from sudden cardiac arrest while playing a game of soccer with his sons team. Because of quick action taken by other parents at the field, and emergency responders only minutes away, Pepi survived this tragic event. He underwent a 6 bypass surgery at Cooper Hospital and has made a complete and full recovery. Th
e use of an AED is what ultimately saved Pepi’s life. There was not an AED on site at the sports complex, and that realization moved Pepi to provide lifesaving equipment and CPR training at sports fields across Southern New Jersey. This was the spark to ignite this cause…this is how Heroes was born. Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. When bystanders intervene by giving CPR and using automated external defibrillators (AEDs) before EMS arrives, 4 out of 10 victims survive. The Heroes Foundation has three basic goals:
1. To promote awareness of sudden cardiac arrest. To encourage people to take action and take care of themselves for a better quality life.
2. To raise funds and donate AEDs and CPR training to local community sport complexes, so that in an event such as the one experienced with Pepi, lifesaving help can be administered immediately.
3. To remember the people who were instrumental in saving Pepi’s life. The Heroes Foundation will have a scholarship program for one student graduating from CCTEC to further a career in the healthcare, field effective this year. By doing this, the memory and cause lives on. Since February 20, 2016 when Heroes was founded, funds have been donated to supply a total of 11 AEDs that will be distributed to local community fields throughout Cumberland and Salem Counties. This is only the beginning of a mission to save lives.
