A Case For School Athletic Facilities Improvements
Ugne Aleknaite •
To the editor: Much has been said about the school athletic facilities improvements. Nantucketers care deeply for the well-being of their community. We should all be very proud that 70 percent of children here play at least one sport, far exceeding anywhere else in the Commonwealth. That level of engagement does not happen by accident. It is a testament to the dedication of parents, coaches, our young athletes, and the community.
As an oncology nurse practitioner who has cared for patients and families facing cancer in this community for nearly a decade, I want to tell you what those numbers mean clinically.
Next to heart disease, cancer is the second leading cause of death in Massachusetts. The science is unambiguous: physical inactivity, alcohol, tobacco, poor diet, and social isolation are among its most powerful drivers. Regular exercise reduces the risk of up to 13 cancers. Sports participation cuts all-cause mortality by more than 20 percent. The bonds formed on a team carry health benefits as significant as quitting smoking.
On PFAS: our community has asked the right questions. The proposed field does not use tire crumb rubber - the material at the center of most documented PFAS concerns. The infill is natural southern yellow pine. Every component will be independently tested for 40 PFAS compounds - more than the 25 our own drinking water is tested for - and any material that fails is rejected at the contractor's cost. A stormwater filtration system will be installed to capture microplastics and sediment before reaching the groundwater.
PFAS is found in our water, our clothing, food packaging, and on fields where our children already play. We should keep reducing exposure wherever we can — while keeping our focus on the most significant, proven, modifiable health risks: smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet, and social isolation.
Vote YES on question 2 - School Athletic Facilities Improvements.
Ugne Aleknaite, RN, NP, DNP Candidate
Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Nantucket, MA