What student-athletes need to know about Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Illustration: Sanjay K J/Pixabay
Family Features - You may find it difficult to wrap your mind around the idea of an energetic student-athlete with a cardiac diagnosis. Heart conditions may be more often associated with older individuals, but you might be surprised to learn hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common condition responsible for sudden cardiac death in young athletes. In fact, it's the cause of 40% of sudden cardiac death cases.

It's estimated 1 in every 500 adults living in the United States has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, according to the American Heart Association, but a significant percentage are undiagnosed. More than 80% of individuals who experience this condition show no signs or symptoms before sudden cardiac death. While sudden cardiac death is rare, it can occur during exercise or in its aftermath. That's why it's important for student-athletes and their loved ones to learn more about this condition and talk to a doctor about their risk.

With proper knowledge and the support of a skilled care team, it's possible to manage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with heart-healthy actions to prevent complications or worsening cardiovascular conditions like atrial fibrillation (a quivering or irregular heartbeat), stroke or heart failure. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy awareness and education for athletes by the American Heart Association is made possible in part by a grant from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation.

What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common form of inherited heart disease and can affect people of any age. It's defined by thickening and stiffening of the walls of the heart. The heart's chambers cannot fill up or pump blood out adequately, so the heart is unable to function normally.

There are different types of this condition. Most people have a form of the disease in which the wall that separates the two bottom chambers of the heart (the septum) becomes enlarged and restricts blood flow out of the heart (obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy).

However, sometimes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs without significant blocking of blood flow (nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). The heart's main pumping chamber is still thickened and may become increasingly stiff, reducing the amount of blood taken in then pumped out to the body with each heartbeat.

What are possible symptoms?

Symptoms can include:

  • shortness of breath
  • chest pain
  • heart palpitations
  • fatigue

The severity of symptoms can vary, but if you experience them or if you have a family history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or sudden cardiac death, it may be a good idea to speak to your doctor about whether you have this condition.

For some people, symptoms can get worse and new symptoms can appear over time, resulting in people dealing with harsher effects and a diminished ability to do the activities they love. This decrease in functions can be one of the most challenging aspects of the disease. Keeping your health care team aware of any new or changing symptoms allows them to work with you to develop a plan to manage these symptoms and reduce their impact.

How is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy diagnosed?

Medical history, family history, a physical exam and diagnostic test results all factor into a diagnosis. A common diagnostic test is an echocardiogram that assesses the thickness of the heart muscle and observes blood flow from the heart.

If anyone in your family has been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, other heart diseases or has been told they had thick heart walls, you should share that information with your doctor and discuss the need for genetic testing. Because this condition is hereditary, first-degree relatives, which include siblings and parents, should be checked.

Learn more at heart.org/HCMStudentAthlete.

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Illinois volleyball player captures second Olympic medal

PARIS - Jordyn Poulter, an Illinois volleyball alum, has done it again, bringing home her second Olympic medal after helping Team USA secure silver at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Poulter, an All-American during her time with the Fighting Illini, now stands alone as the only alum to have earned multiple Olympic medals.

The journey to silver was marked by Poulter’s leadership as the starting setter, a role she also filled during Team USA’s historic gold medal run at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. That victory was a first for the program, with fellow Illini alum Michelle Bartsch-Hackley by her side and Erin Virtue contributing from the coaching staff, a role Virtue reprised in Paris.

In the gold medal match against Italy, Poulter’s 25 assists and five digs showcased her relentless effort, even as Team USA fell in straight sets (25-18, 25-20, 25-17). Throughout the tournament, Poulter started all six matches, guiding the squad to a 4-2 record with wins over powerhouses like Serbia, France, and Brazil.

This silver marks the fifth consecutive Olympic medal for Team USA women’s volleyball, continuing a streak that began with the 2008 Beijing Games. Notably, that 2008 squad included Illinois alum Jen Tamas (formerly Joines), a connection that highlights the Illini legacy within USA Volleyball. With seven overall Olympic medals, Team USA continues to hold the record for the most by any country in women’s indoor volleyball.

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Iced out: Artist Christopher Reme's designs from the future

Artist Christopher Reme poses in booth at the Crystal Lake Park Art Fair last month. His unique, afrofuturistic graphic designs are characters he creates not only visually, but also each with their own personality and legend.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
URBANA - Christopher Reme remembers starting to draw when he was around six years old. Unable to stay quiet during church services, his grandmother handed him paper and pens to keep him occupied during sermons. It was not long after he became obsessed with art. Influenced by comic books and cartoons, his technical ability improved to the point that he could enroll at the Art Institute in Chicago.

After two years, he left the program to continue his art education along a self-directed path. Eventually, he pursued other interests, putting art on hold. Nearly 15 years later, he rediscovered his passion and talent.

One of the many characters created by Christopher Reme. The Champaign native creates designs featuring characters and creatures doing everyday things. For every demon, warlord, or mutant he has created, each has an elaborate backstory.
Illustration provided
"When I first started doing this, I didn't expect anybody to like it or care about it," Reme said from behind a table in his booth at the Crystal Lake Park Art Fair on August 3. "I would draw while at work or school and be like that's nice. That's cool. But that was as far as it went."

That was until his wife Sara convinced him to take the next step.

"You're good at this," she told him three years ago. "We're doing a show."

Reme only had four pieces ready for his first show at the annual Boneyard Festival. He was taken by surprise with the initial reception to his work at his very first show.

"People showed up and they were like, 'Hey, this is awesome' and 'this is nice'," he said recounting the experience. It was then he learned his style and vision had a name, Afrofuturism.

"All of my characters have a back story and a whole lore with them," Reme said. "None of them are heroes, and none of them are villains. They're just people and creatures doing stuff because they have to."

Many of the festival-goers Reme spoke with at the Boneyard Festival compared his work to that of a University of Illinois professor.

"People kept coming up and asking, do you know Stacey Robinson? And we're like, no."

Robinson, an Associate Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is known for his multimedia work through collages, motion graphics, and illustrations featuring Black people in the futuristic, sometimes fantasy world. He eventually met Robinson and said the two exchange tips and discuss their work regularly.

Reme's creative process is simple.

"I just pick up the pen and the table and go at it," he said. "It creates itself. I'm just a vessel it flows through."

Reme plans to release a graphic novel or book by the end of the year. View his artwork and portfolio at www.theicedoutnomadstudios.com. See additional designs at https://www.artstation.com/christopherreme.

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Sims-Fletcher joins the Illini gymnastics program

CHAMPAIGN - Illinois women's gymnastics program appointed Aja Sims-Fletcher as an assistant coach. The announcement of the staff addition came Thursday from Fighting Illini head coach Nadalie Walsh.

"From the very first conversation in the hiring process, it was immediately apparent to me that she is a woman of positivity, gratitude, resilience, and excellence," Walsh said yesterday in a statement. "I believe she will connect incredibly well with the student-athletes and will help us continue to cultivate a champion-minded team."

Aja Sims-Fletcher joins the Illinois women's gymnastics program this fall.
Photo provided
Sims-Fletcher joins the Illinois program after serving one year as the first head coach of Talladega College’s women’s gymnastics team. She is the second individual in the history of HBCU athletics to coach gymnastics. In February, the Tornadoes became the first HBCU program to win an NCAA-sanctioned meet, defeating the University of Alaska Anchorage and host Centenary.

Despite Talladega's success, last month Interim president Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough announced the private school's gymnastics program would close two weeks later citing the lack of financial resources to continue.

A standout gymnast at Alabama, Sims-Fletcher holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science, as well as an MBA from the University of Alabama.

She is excited to join the Illini program and looks forward to helping continue the team's success on the national stage.

"I'm honored to join the University of Illinois gymnastics program," said Sims-Fletcher. The Orlando, Fla., native has coached at various levels, including high school, club, and college. She was a volunteer assistant coach at her alma mater. "The passion and dedication of the athletes, coaches, and the entire Illini community are truly inspiring. I am excited to work with the team and contribute to our collective goal of achieving excellence, in and out of the gym. This program has a proud tradition of success, and I look forward to starting this new chapter with this amazing team!"

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Nourish hearts and minds: The unseen benefits of eating together

Woman traveling by train alone
Photo: Luca Morvillo/PEXELS
Family Features - According to the U.S. Surgeon General, Americans face a lack of social connection that poses a significant risk to individual health and longevity. "Loneliness and social isolation increase the risk for premature death by 26% and 29%, respectively. More broadly, lacking social connection can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day," per the report.

One way to address this epidemic of loneliness is by sharing a meal with friends and family. Learn five of the specific advantages of family meals identified by the Family Meals Movement and take advantage of these benefits during National Family Meals Month this September by sharing one more meal together each week.

Meals Together Foster Togetherness and Connectedness
Staying connected can be hard when schedules conflict and life gets busy, but shared meals with friends, family or however you define your family can be the glue that holds people together. Studies demonstrate a positive relationship between family meal frequency and measures of family functioning, which is defined as family connectedness, communication, expressiveness and problem-solving. The key is for family members to engage in conversation with one another during mealtimes and take advantage of the one-on-one time without distractions or interruptions from smartphones or other devices.

Family support illustration

Meals Together Strengthen Mental Health
An often overlooked benefit of family meals is mental health support. Multiple studies show family meals have long been associated with improving mental health, including reducing symptoms of depression, decreasing violent behavior and lessening thoughts of suicide among youth. Among adolescents, frequent family meals can help mitigate the risks of destructive behaviors by boosting prosocial behaviors and life satisfaction. Data from the FMI Foundation's "Staying Strong with Family Meals" Barometer shows family meals also help restore a sense of peace, with one-third of survey respondents saying family meals make them feel calm. In short, family meals are a recipe for strengthening emotional well-being among children and adolescents.

Meals Together Improve Nutrition
There is one easy way to help ensure your family is eating fruits and vegetables: a family meal. Research shows family meals improve fruit and vegetable consumption. It also pays to start this trend early, with research finding preschool-aged children who eat frequent family meals are more likely to eat more fruits and vegetables. Overall, research indicates families who eat together frequently have a better overall healthy diet and lower body mass index.

Meals Together Improve Academic Performance
Helping students' academic performance begins around the family dinner table. Eating more meals together as a family is associated with improved overall adolescent health, including higher grades. Multiple studies show students whose families eat together frequently perform better academically in areas such as reading and vocabulary. Research also supports a correlation between frequent family meals lowering incidents of risky and harmful behaviors, including drug and alcohol abuse, which may also contribute to school performance.

Meals Together Teach Civility
The family dinner table is a perfect place to show younger generations how to communicate respectfully, according to the Family Meals Barometer summary. In fact, 76% of survey participants agreed family meals are a good opportunity to have and teach respectful interactions while 70% said frequent family meals create a safe environment for families to discuss thornier societal issues. Another 68% affirmed their belief that sitting at a meal together tends to keep conversations more civil.

Learn more about the physical, mental and social benefits of family meals at familymealsmovement.org and follow #familymealsmonth and #familymealsmovement on social media.

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Illinois volleyball broadcast schedule announced

CHAMPAIGN - Three Fighting Illini matches are slated to air on Big Ten Network while a pair of contests are scheduled for FS1.

The Orange and Blue's Big Ten opener against Oregon on Sept. 27 from Eugene, OR, and the first conference match at home against Nebraska on Oct. 3 will be available on FS1. Illinois' first Big Ten Network appearance will be coverage from the Michigan State contest on Oct. 12. The matches against Indiana (Oct. 16) and at Purdue (Nov. 17) will also air on the conference network.

All Big Ten Conference matches that have not been designated for television will air on B1G+.

The first home match of the season is on Sept. 3, when the Illini host Illinois State at Huff Hall. Illinois topped the Redbirds, 3-1, last year. Brooke Mosher logged 37 assists and 16 digs, pacing the squad in both categories in the four-set victory.


2024 ILLINOIS VOLLEYBALL TELEVISION SCHEDULE

 Date

Time (CT)

Opponent

Network

Sept. 27

9:30 p.m.

at Oregon

FS1

Oct. 3

6 p.m.

Nebraska

FS1

Oct. 12

TBA

at Michigan State

BTN

Oct. 16

6 p.m.

Indiana

BTN

Nov. 17

4 p.m.

at Purdue

BTN

 

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League of Women's Voters to discuss recent SCOTUS decision on Social Media Censorship

CHICAGO - Does the First Amendment allow U.S. government officials to intervene and prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media?

Jill Wine-Banks, a distinguished attorney and MSNBC Legal Analyst known for her prominence in political and legal discourse, is scheduled to speak about the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent action on social media censorship. This virtual event will take place on Tuesday, August 20, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The program is free and is presented by the League of Women Voters of Illinois’ Mis/Disinformation Task Force.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently had an opportunity to rule on this question. Instead, they declined to issue decisions in two cases, punting them back to officials in Texas and Florida.

Among her many accomplishments, Wine-Banks was named General Counsel of the U.S. Army by President Carter, where she supervised what was, in essence, the world's largest law firm.

She started her legal career as the first woman to serve as an organized crime prosecutor at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Four years later, she was selected to be one of the three Assistant Watergate Special Prosecutors in the obstruction of justice trial against President Nixon's top aides. Nixon was named an unindicted co-conspirator in that case, but the evidence presented led to Nixon’s resignation.

In 2014, she was named by the Secretary of Defense to the Judicial Proceedings Panel’s Subcommittee on Sexual Assault in the military, where she served until 2017. She was also the first woman to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the American Bar Association.

Those who wish to join the online talk can register for the event here.

To tackle the concerning increase in misinformation and disinformation, particularly its impact on our elections, the League of Women Voters of Illinois established the Mis/Disinformation Task Force in January 2024. The goal of the task force is to educate the public about misinformation and disinformation. For more information, please visit lwvil.org/misdis-info.

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Art in the Park

Bekki Canine creates a new painting
URBANA - Painter Bekki Canine paints a new piece between visitors to her booth at the Crystal Lake Art Fair on Saturday. The two-day event featured 40 artists from around the local area and beyond. Canine earned her BFA at Illinois Wesleyan and holds an MA in Art Education from the University of Illinois. The Villa Grove native has taught art classes from kindergarten to college-level coursework. Her paintings and note cards are available on her website.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
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C-U's Spin Doctors head to state tennis tournament on Saturday

BLOOMINGTON - After dominating the Champaign-Urbana 3.5 league, going 8-1 in the regular season, the Spin Doctors advanced to the USTA District Tournament on Sunday at Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington. Captained by Kai Wang of Champaign, the district title drought for a CU postseason team ended with a 3-2 victory by Spin Doctors over Solty's from Quincy, 3-2.

The Spin Doctors won on the #1 singles court, where Arjun Shah defeated Rick Crider, 6-1, 6-3. The team also picked up wins on two doubles courts to advance to the next round of competition. Shah, who starts graduate school this fall at Stanford University, is unbeaten in 3.5-level play this summer.

Geoffrey Lin lines up a shot during his regular season match with partner Francesco Botticella against Smokin' Aces. Lin and postseason partner D. Comte dropped both sets in a close district match against Bryan Fasano and Roberto Hernandez, 6-4, 7-6.
Paul Cheung and Ben Lee also notched a win for the CU contingent at #2 doubles, defeating Sammy Shumake and partner Martin McCarthy, 6-2, 6-3. Cheung, a doubles specialist, is 6-1 this summer. Meanwhile, Lee boasts an undefeated doubles record at 4-0.

"It's super exciting to be a part of this team and be able to represent CU at state this year after missing out for such a long time," said team member Hans Dee. Playing at #3 doubles with Wang, they easily won their match over Douglas Mallett and Travis Friye, 6-2, 6-1. "We celebrated by going to a great Chinese buffet in Bloomington after the win.

The last time a Champaign men's 3.5-level tennis team won a district title was in 2007. The Quincy team won six out of the previous seven district championships. Before 2016, the district title was won by a Bloomington or Peoria team.

The Spin Doctors advance to the state Championships to face the 19-man roster of Heritage Rustagi, who finished their regular season in a three-way 7-2 tie with Centennial Anderson and 7 River Trails Ciuca. The team match is scheduled at the Heritage Tennis Club in Arlington Heights.

So far this season, the team's only blemish this summer came on June 5 via a 3-2 loss to Smokin' Aces (2-7).

Members of the Spin Doctors are Kai Wang (Captain), Jack Wang, Arjun Shah, Aditya Gopalan, Ben Lee, Paul Cheung, D Comte, Francesco Botticella, Stephen Paul, Christopher Sisson, Geoffrey Lin, Hans Dee, Charles Sikora, Carl Guo, Jun Huang, and Doyeon Kim.

Area teams also advancing to state championships in other divisions include:

  • Teri Scaggs 4.0M Adult 18&O
  • Renee Brown 3.5W Adult 18&O
  • Leslie Hartman 3.0W Adult 18&O
  • Sangwon Park 3.0M Adult 18&O
  • Spin Doctors Kai Wang 3.5M Adult 18&O
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Gardening benefits more than your taste buds, it's good exercise, too

Gardening is healthy
Photo: Zen Chung/Pexels
by Tim Ditman
OSF Healthcare

PONTIAC - Clare Spires never thought she’d be a frequent gardener.

But now, the exercise physiologist at OSF HealthCare delights in overseeing a community garden at OSF in Pontiac, Illinois. And she’s letting anyone who will listen know that the benefits of gardening go beyond nutritious food.

“It’s really going to help with flexibility, endurance and balance,” Spires says. “There’s a lot of up and down, being on your knees and bending over. If you’re somebody who struggles in those areas, this is going to be a good spot to start.”

Think of it as doing a lot of squats in an hour as you plant seeds and pull weeds. Your flexibility can also be challenged (for the good) if you need to get to an “odd spot” to reach that plant. All this adds up to a decreased risk for things like heart disease and high blood pressure.

The mental benefits of gardening match the physical benefits. It’s motivation to get up in the morning. You’re soaking up the sun, interacting with others and have a sense of accomplishment.

Like any other exercise, there are safety tips to keep in mind when gardening.

  • Beat the heat by wearing sunscreen, drinking plenty of water, dressing appropriately (lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing) and taking breaks.
  • Know how to use your tools and have a plan if you’re injured. Have a first aid kit and phone nearby. Try to garden with a friend. Or if not, let someone know your plans.
  • Exercise through gardening can be fun, but don’t push through pain, overexert yourself or stay in one position for too long.

“Know your limits. What works for you and what doesn’t,” Spires says. “You can use the rate of perceived exertion [a scale that allows you to measure how much effort an activity takes]. A one level may not be too hard, or you may be totally maxed out at a 10. Try to stay in that four to six range. For example, this is an appropriate weight for me to carry.”

Bend at your knees, not your back. Use your legs to support yourself as you move up and down. And don’t twist your body into unnatural positions. Remember, you won’t reap a full crop in one day. Take your time and enjoy things.

Read more about how to keep your body in top shape on the OSF HealthCare website. OSF also has recipes that can make use of your harvested fruits and vegetables.

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Water safety; don't rip through the rip current

Photo: Li Yang/Unsplash
by Matt Sheehan
OSF Healthcare

PEORIA - “You’re never going to be stronger than the ocean.”

A wave of caution from Jon Gehlbach, MD, the medical director of the Pediatric Critical Care Unit at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports around 30,000 swimmers have to be saved from rip currents by lifeguards each year, while about 100 people drown after encountering them.

What is a rip current?

Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water. Many summer vacationers travel to the East, West and Gulf Coasts in the summer, where rip currents are prevalent. But some may not know that rip currents are also known to occur on the shores of the Great Lakes. Rip currents are when the waves hit the beach in a certain way, creating a current that flows away from the beach, according to NOAA.

Dr. Gehlbach says whatever you do, don’t try to swim against the rip current.

“Familiarize yourself with where the rip currents are. They’re usually well-marked (with signs on the beach),” Dr. Gehlbach says. “You don’t have to worry about currents or underwater debris in pools, but in oceans, most drownings are related to rip currents. It’s an invisible current pulling people away from the shore. The urge is to swim against it, but if you find yourself in that situation, try to swim parallel to the shore and get out of that rip current as safely as you can.”

“Break the grip of the rip”

“Wave, yell, swim parallel” is another slogan NOAA has. Make sure to continue to breathe, keep your head above water and don’t spend your energy fighting against the current. While rip currents typically flow at one to two feet per second, they can reach up to eight feet per second, or five miles per hour.

While waves or storms can change the shape of the ocean bottom, NOAA reports rip currents are actually the strongest at low tide.

Maybe the beach isn’t your thing, but the lake is. Similar messaging applies. Dr. Gehlbach says there are many unknown factors in natural bodies of water like lakes and rivers that make them more dangerous.

“They tend to be darker, so it’s harder to see what’s going on below the surface. They could have hidden obstacles,” Dr. Gehlbach says. “Currents play a factor as well. Kids might be great swimmers in the pool, but currents make it a lot more challenging to swim safely.”

Rip currents aren’t the same as undertow

Rip currents are much more dangerous, NOAA says. They flow on the surface of water, are usually very strong and can go far out from the shore. Undertow happens when water sinks downhill into the sea after a wave carried it uphill, which is mostly the case at beaches with steep inclines.

When in doubt, don’t go out!

NOAA has the following tips to remain safe on your beach vacations this summer.

  • Swim with a buddy
  • Swim near a lifeguard
  • Learn how to spot a rip current
  • Be prepared

Keep an eye on the local National Weather Service (NWS) Surf Zone Forecasts and Rip Current Statements online and on social media. This can give you a good gauge of what the water’s like before heading to the beach.

Swimsuit color safety

While some parents spend more time than others picking out their kids’ swim outfits, Dr. Gehlbach says the color of their swimsuit could be extremely important in dangerous situations.

“With those blue hues or lighter colors, you might be able to see them well on the surface of the water, but they don’t contrast well with the color of the water, especially pool water, once they go below the surface. Look for things that are brightly colored. Your pinks, reds, oranges, and even black can contrast well against the water,” Dr. Gehlbach says.

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Illinois linebacker named to Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list

SNS - In the fast-paced world of college football, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle of stats, scores, and standout plays. Last week, University of Illinois linebacker Kenenna Odeluga was named to the 2024 watch list for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy by the Wuerffel Foundation and the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) on Thursday. A rising star, he has made a name for himself as a force both in the game and in the community, embodying the true spirit of a student-athlete.

Photo provided
In 2024, he was nominated for the prestigious Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, a testament to their dedication beyond the gridiron. This honor recognizes players who have made a significant impact in their communities, and Odeluga has certainly earned it. A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection (2022 and 2023), he has consistently excelled in the classroom, balancing the demands of academics and athletics.

Last summer, Odeluga embarked on a mission trip to Africa, an experience that left an indelible mark. There, he not only contributed to various service projects but also connected with local communities, gaining a deeper understanding of global issues and the power of compassion.

Back home, Odeluga has been a familiar face at the Carle Foundation Hospital, where he visited children battling illnesses, spreading joy and offering support to families in need. His community service extends to helping build a garden at the Salvation Army, a project aimed at providing fresh produce to those in need. He also worked with DREAAM, engaging with kids during the organization's community service events and helping to create a positive and uplifting environment.

In January 2024, Odeluga attended the Black Student Athlete Summit in Los Angeles, where he connected with professionals and athletic faculty members from across the nation. This gathering, which brought together 1,500 student-athletes, offered a unique opportunity for networking and personal growth.

As a member of the Illinois Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Odeluga serves as a representative for the football program. In this role, they've been actively involved in various athletics community initiatives, advocating for their peers and helping to shape the future of Illinois athletics.

Odeluga has proven time and time again that he is more than just a standout player on the field. As a leader and a compassionate individual, he is using his education and knowledge to make a difference.

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Op-Ed |
A time of healing for Israel, we envision better days ahead

by Rabbi Leor Sinai


Following the morning of Simchat Torah 5784 / October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas launched a military invasion that included massive assaults on Israeli civilians and military outposts abutting the border of Israel and the Gaza Strip, a massive launch of over 5,000 rockets from Gaza into Israel, kidnapped over 250 Israeli citizens of all ages, and committed sexual violence and a massacre of over 1,200 innocent Israelis and visitors, within one day Jewish communities around the world began experiencing all forms of Jew-hatred including violent anti-Israel rallies across university campuses and communities.

Viewpoints

Local government law enforcement and Jewish agencies have tracked an alarming increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the United States, as reported by the Anti-Defamation League’s Center for Antisemitism Research in its February 29, 2024. As a result of this war and dramatic rise of Jew-hatred, the Jewish community now faces existential challenges not seen since prior to the establishment of the modern nation State of Israel.

Preceding the horrific invasion of Israel and ensuing war, is the fraught political context in Israel that began in January 2023 following the establishment of Israel’s 25th Knesset (Governing Parliament). The large-scale protests across Israel in response to the government’s push for a wide-ranging judicial reform, took on an added concern and expansion following the October 7, 2023, invasion and massacre. For example, hostage families calling for a cease fire, the haredi draft exemptions—followed by the decision to draft—reservist families call for new elections, the evacuation of Israel’s north following Hezbollah’s bombardment of northern Israel, and more, all of which has raised many questions for Israelis and Global Jewry, such as the unconditional support of Israel versus supporting political agendas, as well as the existential challenges faced by both Israel and Global Jewry.

Herzl’s pitch sold us on Jewish emancipation when he stated that “…the world will be liberated by our freedom…" (Der Judenstaat, “The Jewish State”), in other words the establishment of a Jewish state would solve the world’s Jewish problem. Today we know his utopian vision of a Jewish homeland did not turn out as he had originally expected. The October 7th massacre and subsequent war proved Herzl wrong.

On October 7th, the dream became a nightmare as darkness spread all over, yet within twenty-four hours of the invasion we saw glimmers of light. Israelis, global Jewry, and our allies, chose to act. Many headed to southern Israel in support of the evacuated families and soldiers, many took part in food and clothing drives, many donated precious resources, many volunteered to help save the agricultural sector, and many of you came to physically bear witness—to be here in Israel during her greatest hour of need.

A friend and I heard about a gathering of hostage families at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art (later to be known as Hostage Square / Kikar HaHatufim) in Tel Aviv. We decided to go to the square on that first Friday evening, Erev Shabbat, to be with the families.

We lit Shabbat candles, sang Shalom Aleichem, and recited Kiddush. What we witnessed at that time was incredible, tearful, joyous and inspiring. And we have been there ever since, not having missed a single Erev Shabbat since October 7th. We pray and sing with both secular and religious Jews, with kippot and without kippot, and with non-Jews, from across Israel and the world, who come because the heart yearns for healing, unity, and hope. For us, Erev Shabbat at Hostage Square has become hallowed land, a Beit HaMiqdash, symbolizing a new covenant among people who choose life.

What was once “Never Again”, is happening again except this time around it is different. Unlike our ancestors who confronted humanity’s worse for 2,000 years, 1948 ushered in a new reality—Israel. The manifestation of the age-old dream to return and be free in our home, l’hiyot am chofshi b’artzeinu, is a game changer and we are holding on for dear life.

Together we will heal what hurts, we will repair our rifts, and we will envision better days ahead for us and for our children everywhere.

If there is anything I have learned throughout this past year of political and social turmoil, and the horrific attack of October 7th, it is not to take our existence in this world for granted, not to take the existence of Israel for granted. Israel’s existence, strength and inspiration informs our collective existence, strength, and inspiration.

My hope is that this wave of Jewish awakening leap frogs us into a movement of preaching, teaching, and role modeling selfless love. If Israel’s weakness in past destructions came because of sinat chinnam, baseless ego driven hatred, then Israel’s strength and unity comes in the form of ahavat chinnam, selfless driven acts of love, kindness and arevut, accountability for one another.

This is the great tikun of our time, the Jewish People’s modern-day revelation: Tikun Yisrael precedes Tikun Olam, healing Israel precedes healing the world. As we draw near to the 9th of Av, Am Yisrael may be an ocean apart though we stand together at the intersection of life. My hope for you, for us all, is that we choose “to be”, we choose life, and by doing so we embody the values of Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh b’Zeh, all of Israel is responsible one for the other. Together we will heal what hurts, we will repair our rifts, and we will envision better days ahead for us and for our children everywhere.

About the author
Leor Sinai lives with his family in Tel Aviv, Israel. Originally from New York, Sinai and his family moved to Israel in 2011. Sinai is an Influencer whose interests include Education Diplomacy, Leadership Development, and Institutional Advancement. He has traveled around the world, building bridges and strategies for collaboration.

The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group, organization or oursentinel.com. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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Chemical contaminates found in Illinois rivers threaten food chain

SNS - Scientists tested nine fish species from four northern Illinois rivers for contamination with per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances, synthetic chemicals found in numerous industrial and commercial products and known to be harmful to human health. They found fish contaminated with PFAS in every one of their 15 test sites. Elevated levels of PFOS, one type of PFAS compound, were found in nearly all fish tested.

Study found that there were high levels of PFASs contamination levels in channel catfish found in Illinois waterways.
G.C./Pixabay

The qualities that make PFAS desirable for industrial uses — their durability and stability under stresses such as high heat or exposure to water, for example — also make these chemicals particularly problematic in the environment and hazardous to human and animal health, said Joseph Irudayaraj, a professor of bioengineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who led the new study.

The findings are reported in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

Short-chain PFASs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are widely used as alternatives to long-chain PFASs. Long-chain PFASs become gradually regulated under REACH (EC No. 1907/2006) and other international regulations, due to having persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties and/or being toxic for reproduction. The increasingly used short-chain PFASs are assumed to have a lower bioaccumulation potential.

“PFAS contain multiple carbon-fluorine bonds, one of the strongest bonds in organic chemistry,” Irudayaraj said, who is also a professor in the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology and an affiliate of the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and the Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the U. of I. “Because of this, they are also very hard to break down. They persist for a long time because they are very, very stable.”

Considering such permanent exposure, it is very difficult to estimate long-term adverse effects in organisms. Enriched in edible parts of plants, the accumulation in food chains is unknown.

There are nearly 15,000 PFAS chemicals, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These are classified either as short-chain PFAS, which have less than six carbon-fluorine bonds, and long-chain PFAS, with six or more of these bonds, Irudayaraj said.

Long-chain PFAS were widely used before awareness grew about the hazards of these chemicals. More recently, many industries switched to using short-chain PFAS.

“It was thought that the short-chain PFAS were less toxic, and that they could more easily degrade,” he said. “But surprisingly, that was not the case.”

Now, both types of PFAS are found in groundwater, soil and human tissues.

Short-chain PFASs have a high mobility in soil and water, and final degradation products are extremely persistent. This results in a fast distribution to water resources, and consequently, also to a contamination of drinking water resources. Once emitted, short-chain PFASs remain in the environment. A lack of appropriate water treatment technologies results in everlasting background concentrations in the environment, and thus, organisms are permanently and poorly reversibly exposed. Considering such permanent exposure, it is very difficult to estimate long-term adverse effects in organisms. Enriched in edible parts of plants, the accumulation in food chains is unknown.

“About 99% of people living in the U.S. have PFAS in their system,” Irudayaraj said.

Studies on animals have shown that short-chain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are almost completely absorbed when ingested or inhaled but not much through the skin. Both short- and long-chain PFAS don't break down easily in the body due to their strong chemical bonds. Even if these chemicals start off in different forms, they eventually turn into acids through several steps, which can be more toxic than the original chemicals. One such toxic substance, perfluorohexyl ethanoic acid (FHEA), has been found in various tissues from deceased people, according to research published by The Danish Environmental Protection Agency in 2015.

The time it takes for these acids to leave the blood varies depending on the specific chemical, the species, and even the sex of the animal. In general, sulfonates (a type of PFAS) take longer to be eliminated than carboxylates (another type), and longer chains take longer to leave the body than shorter ones. In animals, the time is often shorter for females due to differences in how their bodies process these chemicals. The time these substances stay in the blood can range from a few hours to days in rodents, a bit longer in monkeys, and much longer in humans, sometimes lasting years. However, shorter-chain PFAS tend to leave the body faster, except for PFHxS (a six-carbon chain PFAS), which has a longer half-life in humans than some other PFAS like PFOA and PFOS.

Despite a voluntary phasing out of some PFAS in industry in the U.S. and efforts to reduce PFAS pollution, these chemicals are still found in drinking water, household products, food packaging and agricultural products, he said.

Fish from the Rock River had the highest concentrations of PFAS in their tissues.

The manufacturers of chemical products using PFAS argue that the newer short-chain PFAS is safer than the widely known long-chain contaminants. Despite this assertion, the Auburn study's significant findings challenge these statements. The research indicates that short-chain chemicals are frequently present in drinking water systems and could potentially endanger human and environmental well-being. Additionally, current removal methods are relatively less efficient when it comes to eliminating short-chain PFAS in comparison to long-chain PFAS.

The Auburn study analyzed over 200 individual studies on PFAS finding that the short-chain contaminants may be just as harmful as the long-chain versions, if not more. The short-chain PFAS have been linked to hormonal and reproductive system harm.

The researchers in the U of I study focused on fish in northern Illinois rivers because they are close to urban and industrial areas. Industrial emissions and urban rainwater runoff may further contaminate local waterways with PFAS. Sport fishing is also popular across the state, including in areas inside and near Chicago. More than 666,000 fishing licenses were issued across the state of Illinois in 2020.

The researchers narrowed their research down to the fish in the Pecatonica River, Rock River, Sugar River and Yellow Creek from 2021-22. The team collected dozens of samples from nine species of fish, including bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, northern pike, smallmouth bass and walleye. The fish represented different levels of the food chain, from those that feed only on plants, like bluegill, to those eating other fish, such as channel catfish and northern pike.

Back in the lab, the scientists analyzed fish tissues for 17 PFAS chemicals. They found PFAS-contaminated fish in every river they tested and in every one of their 15 sampling sites. Fish from the Rock River had the highest concentrations of PFAS in their tissues. Contamination levels were highest in channel catfish, at the top of the food chain, and lowest in the plant eaters.

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Urbana art fair attracts area art lovers

URBANA - Vendor booths line the drive around Crystal Lake Park for the two-day art fair this weekend. Forty vendors specializing in genres from mixed media to ceramics, photography to fiber-based art displayed their work for sale. Despite the warm midday temperatures, many patrons and art enthusiasts visited the shaded area of the park, exploring the various booths.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
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