FastMed Urgent Care Reaches Milestone in Community Athlete Hydration Program

Online, August 26, 2012 (Newswire.com) - FastMed Urgent Care's Keep Cooler Program has reached over 100 local North Carolina community organizations across 27 cities and towns.

High schools, middle schools, POP Warner teams, YMCAs, Boy Scout Troops, church sports groups and other non-profits have benefited from participating in the Keep Cooler Program.
"Having FastMed donate these water coolers has been a big help in keeping our kids hydrated during the summer months with our mini camps and the start of practice," said James Pollard, President of the Lake Norman Ducks Youth Football and Cheer Association in Charlotte, NC.

These coolers are part of an effort to promote healthy hydration for athletes playing in the hottest months of the year.
"Each and every one of these coolers is there to remind our coaches and students about the importance of hydration and the danger of heat related illness," said Melvin G. Lee, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, for FastMed in North Carolina. "I am proud of the program's success as it was designed prevent heat injuries during this summer sports season."

"The cooler that FastMed provided to our school helps us hydrate our athletes during practices and games," said Pat Kennedy, Director of Athletics for Heritage High School in Wake Forest, NC. "An athletic department needs multiple coolers in order to meet the needs of their teams. We appreciate all that FastMed is doing to help us take care of our student athletes."

To help athletes avoid heat-related injuries and very serious health complications, FastMed donates free five-gallon water coolers to any school (grade school, high school or college, private or public) or other organized sports teams in communities surrounding 24 North Carolina locations.

According to the CDC, Heat-related issues caused 8,015 deaths in the United States from 1979 to 2003.

The Keep Cooler program is part of an ongoing effort to reach out and help communities surrounding all of FastMed's locations. Programs such as Keep Cooler promote health and well-being, as well as raising awareness and education to prevent illness and injury.
To find out if your group qualifies for a free FastMed five-gallon cooler, please contact Jonathan Willard at 919.550.0821 extension 1036.