The parents of a talented young athlete from Long Island, who tragically died from undiagnosed heart disease, are determined to prevent similar fates for others.
Seventeen-year-old Connor Cashin was a respected player on the Massapequa High School varsity hockey team when he collapsed on the ice during a charity event in November 2024.
His parents, Mary and Craig Kasin, are advocating for mandatory electrocardiogram (EKG) testing for all youth athletes in New York, aiming to identify hidden health issues like the one that affected their son.
“I have to tell myself that maybe this happened for a reason, that it was meant to be us advocating for change,” Craig shared recently.
Connor’s death was linked to a rare condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which leads to irregular heartbeats.
“Regular medical check-ups revealed nothing,” Mary expressed.
“Losing a child is one of the hardest things anyone can go through,” she continued. “If there was any inkling something was wrong, I would have insisted on an EKG.”
She noted that EKGs are straightforward and non-invasive.
“I really believe every parent would want this for their child,” Mary emphasized.
The Cashins are collaborating with state Rep. Michael Durso from Massapequa Park to push for “Connor’s Law,” which would mandate that all student-athletes receive an EKG by age 13.
“There is bipartisan support for this bill in Congress,” Durso mentioned, noting that a similar measure has already been adopted in Florida.
“We hope that these pleas resonate with the governor and others who can influence this change. It could be a lifesaver.”
This past Monday, the middle and high school hockey teams in Massapequa took part in an EKG testing event, where Mount Sinai South Nassau provided the equipment for player evaluations.
Interestingly, thirty-seven players were tested—Connor’s jersey number on the ice.
“That felt like a sign, a way for Connor to show that he fully supports our efforts,” former teammate Billy Sciarba noted.
“Connor is watching over us, trying to help save lives and avert similar tragedies in other communities.”
Durso hopes that the law will demonstrate that partnerships between public entities and local healthcare providers can effectively protect children.
As for the bill, it will soon be reviewed by the health committee within the Assembly, and the Cashin family is likely to travel to Albany to share their story during the approval process.
In the meantime, Massapequa High School’s EKG initiative could potentially expand to other schools throughout Long Island.
“Some mothers from the basketball teams have reached out to me,” Mary mentioned.
“And the hockey players were asking if their siblings could get involved with spring sports. They want everyone to have the opportunity.”
Following Connor’s passing, his close friends expressed immediate interest in getting EKGs for themselves.
“It was something we never really thought about before,” noted Skurba.
“This should definitely be a requirement,” said the teenager, who now serves on the executive board of the Connor Cashin Memorial Foundation.
The 19-year-old college freshman, currently involved in club hockey at the University of Tennessee, has promoted this same message to his teammates and has undergone testing through the foundation.
“We aim to start in New York and then expand to Tennessee,” he expressed.
“If we can spread this initiative nationwide, that would be amazing.”
