The legacy of George DiRocco grew deeper this week when the Wilton charity bearing his name put life-saving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) into the hands of every sports team at Wilton High School when they go on the road.
More George, which works in partnership with a CT-based nonprofit called In A Heartbeat, presented seven AEDs to the school on Thursday morning, March 14. Now, even at away games, this literally puts power in the hands of Wilton coaches to perform life-saving treatment on athletes in the very short window of time following sudden cardiac arrest.
“The reason we do this is so that nobody has to live through what we lived through,” explained Wilton parent Artie DiRocco, who along with his wife, Deb DiRocco, lost their son George in the autumn of 2020 from an undiagnosed heart condition.
In response, the family created More George, a nonprofit group that aims to provide free EKG heart screenings and CPR and AED training, and make AED machines accessible within three minutes of any location where children play sports.
“If we had those things, our son would still be here,” DiRocco said, “so we understand the value more than anyone else does.”
Since it’s founding, More George has hosted events that have conducted around 900 free EKG screenings in Wilton for young people, in addition to donating five AEDs to the town’s standing sports facilities, and others to the YMCA.
“The inclusion of AED devices at all athletic facilities and providing each traveling team with their own personal device reflect a proactive approach to emergency preparedness,” WHS Athletic Director Robert Rushton said. “This initiative not only adds an extra layer of protection, but also alleviates concerns for coaches while traveling.”
“We are very appreciative of the DiRocco family and this initiative,” he said.
Rushton said that Artie and Deb DiRocco recently attended the spring coaches meeting, where they discussed the importance of AED use, also offering to provide additional training if necessary for coaches.
“People are not inclined to do things that they’re not comfortable with,” Artie DiRocco said, noting that while using the devices is self-explanatory, with a voice system that guides the user through an emergency, just getting to hear an AED in operation once can make people more comfortable with the process should an emergency warrant it.
He said several coaches have even requested sessions to train the student athletes themselves in AED use as well.
“In the context of the evolving landscape of school-based athletic trainers, having multiple measures in place to safeguard Wilton student athletes is a wise decision,” Rushton said. “It shows foresight and adaptability.”
DiRocco said that making proper equipment available, as well as education, was the mission of the nonprofit, beginning in the family’s hometown and expanding from there.
“We’ve been on this mission for three years,” he said. “We’re gonna make Wilton the most heart-safe community in Connecticut.”
Among those who have been directly impacted from the screenings offered through More George is Wilton parent Sarah Cummins, whose son was found to have medical issues that needed further attention following a More George-sponsored EKG screening.
“We are so grateful to have the information, so we can follow through on what treatment, if any, we need to pursue,” she said, noting that it came as a complete surprise as an EKG taken years earlier had shown no issues.
“We were shocked when we received the call,” she said.
Cummins’ family knew George, and she said it’s all the more inspirational how the DiRoccos have turned their tragedy into a way to help the community.
“As a result, we look forward to supporting their efforts,” she said. “Knowing that there are AEDs on all Wilton fields should give us all a measure of comfort, all thanks to Artie and Deb.”
“But parents should also take advantage of these screenings,” she said. “They are painless and free and could save a life.”
Cummins’ child isn’t the first. Thanks to all of the More George screening events, DiRocco said that around nine families who’ve been among those 900 screened were able to learn that their child required at least some further medical investigation.
“The number usually is one in 300 as an issue you need to follow up on,” he said, noting that’s it’s just a statistical coincidence, but still highlights the importance of screenings.
WHS Principal Robert O’Donnell expressed his gratitude to the family on behalf of the school.
“Artie and Deb and the DiRocco family remain dedicated supporters of the schools,” he said. “Our goal is to keep all students healthy, including our student athletes.”
The additional AEDs will be stored in the athletic department office and signed out by coaches when a team travels on the road.
According to DiRocco sudden cardiac arrest has a much higher rate of death than heart attacks, contrary to what many believe, and it remains the number-one cause of death in the U.S. There is only a four-minute window for AED treatment. Now, DiRocco said, whether Wilton athletes are on a golf course or playing away at a school where they might not even have an AED available or in proper working order, they can rest assured that they will have the proper equipment on hand.
“No more depending on other towns, other facilities, to make sure that their AEDs are charged, that they have the proper pads,” DiRocco said, adding that More George is also donating four CPR mannequins to WHS as well for training purposes.
He said that a $5,000 grant from the Arthur Wall Foundation — another Wilton-based charity — has helped make all these donations possible, coupled with the help of In A Heartbeat founder Mike Papale, who was able to secure the AEDs at a reduced cost.
Superintdent of Schools Kevin Smith praised the work of the DiRocco family and More George.
“I’m very grateful to the DiRoccos for their commitment to raising awareness to prevent sudden cardiac arrest,” he said. “They have been tremendous leaders in the community, organizing heart screenings and arranging for AED donations.”
“Their efforts have literally saved lives,” he said.
For more information on More George, visit the organisation’s website.