As a first-grader at Brandywine Wallace Elementary School, Aidan Silva enjoyed spending time with his family, hanging out with his friends, and playing baseball, soccer, and basketball. He loved the Philadelphia Phillies, and his favorite player was Ryan Howard.

On Labor Day weekend in 2010, Aidan Joseph Silva unexpectedly passed away suddenly from cardiac arrest. Shortly after his passing, a foundation in his name, called Aidan’s Heart Foundation, was established and recognized as a tax-exempt charitable organization.

Aidan’s Heart Foundation helps provide awareness, education and support to communities.  According to a reviewer, “Aidan’s Heart Foundation offers tremendous community support by educating all about saving children’s lives through the use of AEDs and CPR. AHF keeps Aidan’s memory alive while benefiting so many! Keep up the good work!”

To raise funds, the foundation also hosts 5Ks.  This helps with their outreach program, which allows them to go into schools to teach CPR and talk about Aidan’s story.

We here at West have a special connection with Aidan and the foundation, as Aidan would have been a member of the Downingtown West Class of 2022.  We appreciate the community efforts sponsored by the foundation set up in Aidan’s name, and we hope that Aidan’s short life will continue to have positive effects on the DASD community for years to come though education, awareness, and events.

For more information about Aidan’s Heart Foundation, visit their website.