Fri Sep 13 03:16:00 UTC 2024: ## Foxborough Moms Save Teenage Soccer Player’s Life with CPR
**Foxborough, MA** – A freshman soccer player at Foxborough High School, Gavin Smith, 14, is recovering after a life-threatening incident during a varsity game on Tuesday. Smith collapsed after a collision on the field, but thanks to the quick actions of two medically trained mothers in the stands, his life was saved.
Smith, who was attempting a header, collided with another player and fell to the ground. His best friend, Matthew DeSantis, witnessed the incident and immediately alerted the coach, believing Smith was having a seizure.
Donna Smith, Gavin’s mother, and Andrea DeSantis, Matthew’s mother and a nurse at Boston Children’s Hospital, were in the stands watching the game. They rushed to the field and found Gavin turning blue with no pulse.
Andrea DeSantis, along with another parent, Dr. Olivia Kim, a pediatrician from Foxborough, immediately started CPR, along with the athletic trainer. Their combined efforts ultimately resuscitated Gavin.
“He was completely blue when we got out there,” said Donna Smith. “Some Foxborough moms who are medically trained jumped right into action with the athletic trainer.”
Gavin was alert and breathing when paramedics arrived and is currently undergoing concussion protocol. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Both mothers expressed their gratitude for the quick thinking and actions of those who helped save Gavin’s life. Andrea DeSantis stressed the importance of CPR training, stating that it “is a must…seconds matter, and having professionals on standby can save lives.”
This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role CPR training plays in emergency situations. It underscores the importance of having qualified individuals readily available at youth sporting events and in communities.
First Piper 