Forever 9 teaching others how to save lives

The Forever 9 Robbie Levine Foundation sponsored the first of three free automated external defibrillator and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training sessions at the North Merrick Firehouse on Jan. 31.

The Robbie Levine Foundation was founded to honor the memory of Robbie Levine, a happy, healthy 9-year-old who died suddenly in 2005 when his heart stopped during a Little League practice.

Robbie had experienced a dizzy spell during practice once before, but testing by a pediatric cardiologist did not detect any health problems. When Robbie collapsed on the ball field, no defibrillator was available on the scene, and although his father, Dr. Craig Levine, performed CPR, Robbie could not be revived.

Robbie's father and his mother, Jill Levine, created the Forever 9 Robbie Levine Foundation to foster heart health and support individuals with heart disease through education and technology.

Additional classes will be held at the North Merrick Fire House on Friday, Feb. 5 and Thursday, Feb. 25, at 7p.m. Only one of these three-hour courses is required to become certified. Registration is necessary. To register, e-mail rblforever9@optonline.net, or call (516) 379-2868.

To learn more about the Forever 9 Robbie Levine Foundation, visit www.RobbieLevineFoundation.org.