The Kendrick Fincher Memorial Foundation is raising awareness about a serious and often overlooked topic. This organization teaches people that illness, and even fatalities, can result from a lack of proper hydration. This is particularly true among athletes. The problem is more widespread than many people realize. The Foundation is highly active in the quest to educate people about the necessity of getting enough water. An act as simple as drinking water can save lives.
This is an interview with Rhonda Fincher from the Kendrick Fincher Memorial Foundation. She discusses how this issue tragically affected her life, and what can be done to prevent sickness and death due to a lack of hydration. Rhonda Fincher is a recipient of the Good Housekeeping General Electric Heroes for Health Award for her work with the Kendrick Fincher Memorial Foundation.
CAINE: What are some of the primary goals of the Kendrick Fincher Memorial Foundation?
FINCHER: Our mission is to promote proper hydration and prevent heat illness. Our goal has always been to prevent deaths from heat illness primarily in athletes.
CAINE: Tell us about the person for whom this foundation has been named. What happened to Kendrick, and how could it have been prevented?
Kendrick was my son and was thirteen years old when he went to his first day of football practice. He didn't get enough to drink and suffered heat stroke. He spent 18 days at Little Rock Children's Hospital, and died from multi-system organ failure as a result of heat stroke.
Kendrick's death could have easily been prevented through proper hydration before and during practice. By the time practice was over he was already dangerously dehydrated and needed immediate medical attention.
CAINE: Why are young athletes particularly at risk for heat illness?
FINCHER: Younger children absorb more heat than adults and they release less heat through sweating. During prolonged exercise, they usually don't drink enough fluids to replenish what they lose through sweat. Children are also easily distracted and forget to drink when they should.
CAINE: What are some of the signs of dehydration and heat illness?
FINCHER: Thirst tells your body that you need to drink; by then you are 1% dehydrated. However, as people age, the thirst mechanism becomes weaker and older adults really need to monitor their fluid intake to make sure they are getting enough. Other signs of dehydration include headache, fatigue, difficulty paying attention, and nausea. Athletes will notice muscle cramps, weakness, and decreased performance. A person may also feel lightheaded or dizzy.
CAINE: How much water should people be drinking per day?
FINCHER:We teach people the following: "Weight divided by two = liquid ounces for you." We are all different sizes, and our liquid intake needs will be different.
CAINE: Some people prefer to drink soda rather than water. Are all beverages good for achieving hydration, or is water really the best choice?
FINCHER: Water is the best source of hydration for your body, but some healthy drink choices can contribute to your hydration needs. As well, there are drinks for their nutritional value such as milk and 100% juice. I teach children to make sure they are not exceeding their daily recommended allowance in those other healthy drink choices because excess will contribute to weight gain.
CAINE: If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion, what should be done for that individual?
FINCHER: Rest in a cool place, drink water (athletes may choose a sports drink), and fan the body or use cool towels. You should feel better relatively soon; if not, you may be experiencing heat stroke. If someone is confused or loses consciousness, it is most likely heat stroke.
CAINE: If heat stroke is suspected, what should be done in that case?
FINCHER: Heat stroke is a medical emergency and rapid cooling is essential. For athletes, we recommend a "cool pool", which can be just a kiddie pool on the sidelines. If no cool pool is accessible, use ice packs over as much of the body as possible, or any other accessible cooling method, such as a spray from a garden hose. The purpose of rapid cooling is to get the core body temperature reduced quickly to minimize any damage. Once you have started rapid cooling, transport the person to the nearest medical facility. If heat stroke is not recognized and treated promptly, it can result in extreme damage or death.
CAINE: Tell us about the Youth Run.
FINCHER: The Youth Run is an educational event for children in kindergarten through 8th grades to learn about the benefits of physical fitness and the importance of proper hydration. The event is free, and they get a cool t-shirt and goodie bags. The 12th annual event will be on May 15, 2010. We have also added a 5K for older children and adults as a fundraising component.
CAINE: What are cool huts?
FINCHER: They are misting tents and ice water provided for community events in Northwest Arkansas.
CAINE: Does your organization promote hydration at non-athletic events, or is your focus primarily upon athletes?
FINCHER: Our focus has been on athletes from K-12th grade. However, our information applies to most people.
CAINE:It's been a pleasure to learn more about the Foundation and its work. And now, it's time to get a glass of water. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit the following website:
The Kendrick Fincher Memorial Foundation