Oscar’s Story

Oscar was born on September 16, 2017, named after his great-great-grandfather. His name means "champion warrior," a fitting description for what lay ahead.

In March 2024, six-year-old Oscar was healthy and happy. He was in kindergarten, loved math, and loved playing sports. He also loved watching sports, especially the Yankees and cheering for his favorite player, Anthony Volpe.

On March 10, 2024, during an 8U travel baseball game, Oscar's life changed forever. While playing center field, he ran to catch a pop fly. At first, it appeared he had made the catch, but then the ball dropped, and Oscar collapsed. His dad, Riley, and the coaches rushed to his side. Realizing something was seriously wrong, Riley yelled for Sarah, Oscar’s mom, who immediately dialed 911 and ran to the field. Finding Oscar's limbs rigid, contracted and his eyes rolled back, Sarah thought he was having a seizure, but he had no history of such a condition.

Sarah quickly checked for a pulse and, finding none, began CPR, calling out for an AED, which was not available at the field. She continued CPR until another bystander took over compressions until emergency personnel arrived. The ambulance arrived five minutes after Oscar collapsed, and EMTs delivered two shocks to his heart in the ambulance on their way to the hospital.

At the hospital, doctors stabilized Oscar, but he couldn't breathe on his own and was placed on a ventilator. The following 24 hours were crucial, as his prognosis depended on how long his brain had been without oxygen. Sarah had acted quickly, but was it fast enough? Had her compressions helped push sufficient oxygenated blood to his brain and other vital organs?

Oscar coughed or “bucked the vent” all night, indicating his brain was responsive. On Monday morning, doctors weaned him off the ventilator, and he began breathing on his own. Although initially agitated and incoherent, he eventually settled into a deep sleep on Tuesday night. On Wednesday morning, Oscar woke up and greeted Sarah with a clear "Hi, Mom."

 Oscar was diagnosed with commotio cordis, a rare condition where a blow to the chest causes cardiac arrest. His survival was due to Sarah's immediate CPR and the quick response of first responders with an AED.

 Oscar's parents had no idea sudden cardiac arrest due to commotio cordis was a risk. Realizing how close they were to a different outcome, they created the Oscar Strong Foundation to raise awareness and educate people about the importance of CPR, AEDs, and wearing heart protection while playing sports, especially baseball. They aim to ensure that no family faces such a terrifying situation unprepared.