Did you know that drowning is the number 1 cause of unintentional injury related death for children under 5 and a leading cause for ages 1-14? And it's preventable!

This year, on August 17th, I will participate in another amazing Colin's Hope Got2Swim 10K swim on Lake Austin. I'll train, fundraise and share the water safety and drowning prevention message with everyone I can. I am very proud to be a “Athlete Ambassador” in honor of and to celebrate all the children who have lost their lives to a fatal drowning or who have survived a non-fatal drowning.

This year, my goal is to raise at least $1,000 for Colin's Hope. 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.

I would like to ask you to please pledge your support for drowning prevention by making a donation of any amount to help me reach my fundraising goal.  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 doing any or all of the below.

1) Watching the 10 minute "Colin's Hope: This is our story" film at www.colinshope.org/ourstory or our preschool swim safety video

2) Taking and sharing the Colin's Hope Water Safety Quiz at www.colinshope.org/quiz

3) Talking to your kids, friends and families about water safety and changing your behaviors to be safer around water.

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

Water Safety Warrior,

Rodney