It was supposed to be another day rather than the day he could have had, a day that offered some glimmers of hope for his recovery and a chance for the community to come together, as Francesco was a junior at Locust Valley High School.
On November 17, 2022, he went down suddenly in the midst of basketball tryouts after suffering cardiac arrest. The entire gym stood in shock. I can’t imagine what the kids saw in front of him as he went down. His embarrassment was quickly overtaken by his coaches; they went into immediate action, performing CPR and using the AED that was positioned just outside the gym.
Minutes elapsed, and Francesco’s heart had stopped for a few moments. Just then, Artie Sandstrom, head custodian and fire chief, paramedic Scott Sila, and firefighter/teaching assistant Michael Sabatino arrived and took over. Their intervention shortly thereafter initiated Francesco’s resuscitation before he was transported to Glen Cove Hospital and subsequently transported to Cohen Children’s Medical Center.
Nine days after Francesco’s cardiac arrest, and with his family grateful, his mother, Pia Scarfo Allocca, who lost her husband Paul to cancer in 2023, returned to the hospital where she could speak directly with everyone who helped save her son. Tears welled in her eyes as she addressed the crowd:
“This is very emotional for our family. We are so thankful to the coaches and staff who acted so quickly when Francesco had cardiac arrest. This Thanksgiving feels extra special because of them.”
Francesco has been a member of the Falcons varsity basketball team since his sophomore year. A power forward/small forward, he plays with a calm focus and determination that reminds those who know him of his father. Now, more than a week after his brush with death, he is at home with his family preparing for the holidays, knowing a little more and grateful.
As a result, the Locust Valley Central School District has initiated changes. Seven more AEDs were put into place, plus even more staff are being trained in CPR and AED use. Dr. Kristen Turnow, the Superintendent, stated that the three-minute response time altered the outcome, saving Francesco’s life.
Doctors at Cohen Children’s Medical Center are still in the process of testing to discover why this healthy teen had sudden cardiac arrest. For the present, the focus for Francesco, his family, and the whole community is on gratitude for the coaches, the staff, and the first responders who made sure the Allocca family would not go through another heartbreaking loss. You may also be interested in: Centreville Illinois: Football Player Terrence Curry Killed by Brother Over Jealousy
