Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State Graduate Named Spokesperson For Beat the Heat Campaign
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June 20, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. - For Tracey Jaurena, dehydration hits close to home. Jaurena, a former Bulldog student athletics trainer and 1985 Fresno State graduate, has been named one of the national spokespersons for the "Defeat the Heat" campaign, a national public safety program designed to alert parents of the dangers of dehydration and heat illness among active kids.
The campaign provides information on prevention of dehydration, which in extreme cases can lead to death. "Defeat the Heat" is a joint effort between National SAFE KIDS and the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) with support from Gatorade.
Jaurena, the head athletics trainer at West Hills College in Coalinga, Calif., got a scare last summer when her 10-year old son, Abe, suffered heat exhaustion during a football game.
"You hear about a few athletes every once in a while who die from dehydration, but until my son suffered and I did more research, I had no idea how serious it is. More than 300 young athletes died from dehydration last year," Jaurena said.
"Defeat the Heat" was launched June 6 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. featuring Tracey, Abe and Tennessee women's coach Pat Summitt. They stressed to lawmakers the importance of educating parents about heat illness. Those three are also featured in 30-second public service announcements that are being circulated nationwide. Summitt, who is considered one of the greatest coaches of all-time, and Jaurena are making parents aware of the dangers related to heat illness. The campaign will continue throughout the summer.
For more information on "Defeat the Heat", visit www.defeattheheat.com or call toll-free 1-866-5DEFEAT.