Did you know that 90 Texas children have already lost their lives to a fatal drowning this year? Or that many more have survived a non-fatal drowning incident?  

These drownings are PREVENTABLE, yet DROWNING IS STILL THE NUMBER 1 CAUSE OF UNINTENTIONAL INJURY RELATED DEATH FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5 and A LEADING CAUSE FOR AGES 1-14.

Every day, I work tirelessly as the Executive Director of Colin's Hope to prevent drowning and I will once again take on the role of Athlete Ambassador to prevent drowning. This year, I had an amazing ope Got2Swim Lake Austin 10K journey on September 1 with my amazing  super awesome family of swimmers (Alissa, Keri (my wife), Hanna (12) and Ella (11).  We have trained, pledgeraised and have had countless conversations on land and in water with those we meet about water safety and drowning prevention.

We swam in honor of and to celebrate all the children who have lost thier lives to a fatal drowning or who have survived a non-fatal drowning. We'll have a few super special kids who our team chose to honor-- Grace, Averie, Tristan , Drennen and Connor (all who will be angels guardianing us from above) and for Clay and Jack (who survived a drowning and will be cheering us from school). Clay's Mom - Laura paddled with us on our journey and Dana (Connor's mom) and MAry (Grace's Mom) cheered us on from land.

This year, I will personally raise at least $1042 for Colin's Hope and together our family has a goal to raise $3042. These funds will mean that more Preschool children can get swim safety classes and swim lessons, more families will receive water safety education and that life jacket loaner stations as area lakes will be re-stocked. Thank you to all who have donated so far- it means so much and will help save lives!

I ask you to please pledge your support for drowning prevention by making a donation of any amount to my pledge page. Every dollar raised means drownings prevented and lives saved. Thank you for sharing the vision of a world where children do not drown.

I also challenge you to see how much you know about water safety by 1) watching the 10 minute "Colin's Hope: This is our story" film at www.colinshope.org/ourstory  or 2) taking the Colin's Hope Water Safety Quiz at www.colinshope.org/quiz  or 3) visiting the Colin's Hope Water Safety Resource Hub at www.colinshope.org

As Colin used to say, Have the "Best Day Ever" and Thank you for cheering me on in some way to make a difference.

Alissa & Family