Robbie's Run: A Cause Worth Fighting For

Every parent's biggest fear is losing a child, and that is something that both Jill and Craig Levine faced on Sept. 27, 2005.

Craig was with their son Robbie, who was nine at the time, at baseball practice. At the end of practice, it was customary for all of the players to run around the bases, and that is when the Levines' lives would change forever.

Once it was Robbie's turn, he ran around the bases, and many noticed that he was moving very fast.

"I remember my husband telling me he had never seen Robbie run so fast," Jill Levine recalled.

As Robbie rounded third base and headed home, Craig had turned to look at the next runner, but then he realized Robbie had collapsed at the plate.

"I thought he fainted," Craig told the New York Times.

But as time passed, Craig realized that this was more than that. After administering two breaths, he began CPR.  Craig said that he heard Robbie breathe twice, but it turned out those were his agonal breaths.

"The first respondent did not have an AED (automated external defibrillator)," Jill Levine said. "The time is what made all of the difference."

At the time, Levine was home with then six-year-old Josh and six-month-old Samantha, and a neighbor came in to tell her that Robbie had collapsed.

At about 8 p.m., Robbie was pronounced dead.

"It didn't take long for us to decide that we wanted to do something," Levine said. "People wanted to do something to help, so we decided that we were going to start a foundation in Robbie's name."

The Robbie Levine Foundation was founded shortly thereafter by Jill and Craig Levine, and they had a very simple goal. They wanted to install AEDs on as many little league fields as possible, and they have donated to various leagues when promised that the AEDs would be properly maintained and that people were trained to use them.

"It's amazing how quick this has spread," Jill Levine said. "We literally have sent AEDs to people in New York, Florida and California. I have even received calls from people in South Africa who are interested in learning more about the cause."

The North Merrick Little League was the first place to adapt the AEDs, and the North Bellmore/North Merrick Little League was soon to follow. Also, the Merrick school district has been helpful in promoting events that raise funds and awareness for this important cause.

"When we get closer to an event, the schools are nice enough to let us send home fliers with the kids," Levine said. "That kind of help is exactly what we need."

The event that is coming up on Sunday at 9:15 a.m. is the foundation's signature, which is the fifth annual "Robbie's Run." The event, which will begin at the Levy-Lakeside Elementary School in Merrick, will feature a 5K run/walk, a 1 mile mini run and a fun run for kids. The event was designed to celebrate the life of Robbie Levine and to also raise money for the foundation.

The exercise will not be the only part of the day. There will be a mini-carnival of sorts, as there will be different forms of entertainment to make the event a true family atmosphere.

It certainly takes a lot of people to make sure the event goes on as planned, and Jill Levine has been overwhelmed with the level of support.

"I am so proud of all of the people that have helped us with this great cause," she said. "Of course I wish my son was still here, but I am proud that his name will continue to be remembered."

As of now, the event has registered more than 800 participants, which is far ahead of last year's pace. According to Levine, many people show up on the day of the event to sign up. Those interested can also register on the web by going to www.robbielevinefoundation.com.

The Levines have already heard of two specific instances of people being saved as a result of the foundation's AEDs. One man was saved when he collapsed upstate at an athletic event, and the AED was able to revive him.

"We are actually trying to get him to come to the run this year," Jill Levine said. "He's living proof that these can really make a difference."

Also, while waiting in the waiting room of Dr. Craig Levine's office, a patient collapsed. Craig was able to use the AED he had nearby to revive that patient as well.

As the word of the Robbie Levine Foundation continues to spread, one thing is certainly for sure: Robbie Levine will never be forgotten.