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Make A Splash with Culllen Jones and Kristin Goffman.
Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones has been recognized as the third winner of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance’s (NDPA) National Lighthouse Award. On November 20, Johnny Johnson, immediate past president of the NDPA; NDPA Executive Director Kristin Goffman and NDPA founding board member Kim Patrick presented Cullen with the Lighthouse Award at USA Swimming Foundation’s Make-A-Splash breakfast, sponsored by Conoco Phillips in Los Angeles.
Cullen Jones became a household name in 2008 when he won an Olympic Gold Medal in the 4x100 Freestyle Relay in swimming as a member of the team which included Jason Lezak, Michael Phelps, and Garrett Weber-Gale. While the accomplishments Cullen made in the water were phenomenal, it is the work Cullen has done out of the water since winning his gold medal that the NDPA honored.
Since the 2008 Olympics, Cullen has joined forces with USA Swimming Foundation’s Make-a-Splash campaign to reach out across America to encourage youth to learn to swim. Sharing with audiences the fact that drowning remains the second-leading cause of injury-related death to children in the U.S.; and that over 80% of these drownings occurred under supervision; and that African-American and Hispanic children are at a higher risk of drowning, Cullen has made it his personal mission to save lives by getting more youth to learn to swim.
In his presentations, Cullen shares his personal story of almost drowning at the age of five, when the inner-tube he was riding in at a water park turned over. Cullen didn’t know how to swim. Lifeguards had to perform a rescue and use CPR to revive Cullen. That week, his mother enrolled him in swim lessons. Years later, Cullen finally grasped the reality that he had almost died. Learning to swim not only saved his life, but enabled him to pursue a sport in which he thrived. Cullen’s message through the Make-a-Splash campaign has already reached over 150,000 youth, and he’s still actively spreading the “learn to swim” message.
The NDPA Board of Directors is honored to name Cullen Jones as the third recipient of their National Lighthouse Award.
Carol Achs and Druann Letter were recognized for their work in developing the Water Watchers Program out of Phoenix, AZ, a major educational initiative for children, and for increasing public awareness of water safety. They turned grief to advocacy and action after the drowning death of Druann’s son and Carol’s grandson Weston. The Water Watchers program is a model for a water safety program and curriculum designed for primary school students. (Tiffaney Isaacson with Phoenix Children’s Hospital accepted the award on their behalf.)
Tim Flood, M.D., with the Arizona Department of Health was recognized for his unrelenting work and personal dedication in facilitating and promoting research and data projects that have advanced drowning prevention efforts across the nation, and particularly in the state of Arizona. Tim produces a comprehensive yearly report on Arizona drownings that could be used as a model for other states looking to enhance their data collection and reporting systems. (Tiffaney Isaacson with Phoenix Children’s Hospital accepted the award on Tim’s behalf.)
Carvin Giovanni, with Association of Pool & Spa Professions (APSP) was honored for work through his role as APSP’s Senior Director, Technical Standards. Carvin has helped facilitate the pool industry’s attitude evolution from fear of mentioning drowning to the current approach, “Let’s ensure people who buy pools understand the importance of water safety.” Carvin has been involved extensively in facilitating standards development, pool safety publication development and advocacy, and provides a bridge between the pool industry and consumers.
Stew Leonard, Jr., with the Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities, was chosen for his personal advocacy after the loss of his son Stew, through financially supporting community drowning prevention efforts and increasing education and awareness about children’s water safety, especially through the development & promotion of the “Stewie the Duck” program. The Leonards have channeled their personal tragedy into a campaign that has potentially saved hundreds of children’s lives through teaching children about the importance of learning to swim and by helping youngsters understand that the must never go near water without an adult present.
Michelle Long, with Mesa Fire Department in Arizona, was selected for her dedication in following an academic model to develop, implement and evaluate an effective water safety program through the Mesa Fire Department. Her approach to education on the public health issue of drowning is an example the judges felt that all other programs could benefit by emulating. Michelle’s program has effectively decreased drowning in Maricopa County Arizona, which has had one of the highest per capita drowning rates in the country.
Nadina Riggsbee, founder of the Drowning Prevention Foundation, was recognized for her personal dedication to legislative advocacy which has resulted in the passage and strengthening of drowning prevention legislation. Since the loss of her daughter Samira to drowning and the severe life-long injury to her son JJ from the same drowning incident, Nadina has dedicated her life to efforts to prevent other parents from having to go through the pain of losing a child to drowning. Nadina, founder of the Drowning Prevention Foundation, has been credited with the effort that led to passage of the first drowning prevention related legislation in the nation 20 years ago, and has been a strong advocate for quality care for people with significant brain injuries.
Lt. Robert E. Ogoreuc; John Schreiner; Robert Stanton; Lt. Ed Leon, with Slippery Rock University and the New Jersey State Police, were all selected for the development and implementation of an Open Water Rescue Course, which has been instrumental in saving lives. This rescue course, a model educational program which teaches first responders how to effectively rescue people who’ve gotten into trouble in open waters while also keeping the rescuers safe, is being replicated nationwide. (Robert Ogoreuc accepted the award on behalf of the group.)
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