Statistics

  • In 2005, there were 3,582 fatal unintentional drownings in the United States, not including boating-related incidents.
  • In 2004, of all children 1-4 years old who died, 26% died from drowning. Fatal drowning remains the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years.
  • Males accounted for 80% of fatal drownings in the United States.
  • In 2003, 782 children aged 0-14 years died from drowning.
  • A swimming pool is 14 times more likely than a moter vehicle to be involved in the death of a child age 5 and under.
  • An estimated 5,000 children ages 14 and under are hospitalized due to unintentional drowning-related incidents each year; 15% die in the hospital and as many as 20% suffer severe, permanent neurological disability.
  • 1 in 5 children drown in public pools with certified lifeguards present.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Connor Cares Foundation will be to further the education and training of lifesaving personnel at all public and private pools nationwide and to set minimum standards of safety to reduce the annual number of drownings. Furthermore, it will be the foundations goal to introduce legislation that will promote uniformity in lifesaving techniques and reaction times at all pools. Finally, the organization will promote a safety ratings system (1-5 stars) to identify deficiencies and provide parents and guardians a guide as to the safety level of each pool.

Our Work

The Connor Cares Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which was founded in 2006 after the death of five-year-old Connor Freed, who drowned underneath an empty lifeguard chair at a country club pool. Since it's creation, the foundation has donated defibrillators (AEDs) throughout Anne Arundel, Prince Georges, and Montgomery counties and soon to be Baltimore City in partnership with Baltimore County Parks & Recreation.  Our long-term goal is to have a defibrillator at every public and private pool nationwide.

The Connor John-James Freed Scholarship Fund has sponsored over 200 children in Arlington Echo's Drownproofing Program in Anne Arundel County. The fund provides an assortment of necessities for under privileged children that otherwise could not afford the drownproofing program and associated cost.  Our second scholarship fund, "Not One More Child Drowns" helps to support the Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) program and raised over $10,000 for the cause. ISR is a program that teaches children 6 months-6 years of age life-saving techniques. Currently in the works is our third program that will benefit the inner-city children of Baltimore. Our goals, other than providing defibrillators, will include supporting the program by outfitting the kids with bathing suits, towels, swimming lessons and transportation among other necessities.

The Connor Cares Foundation is currently working with state and federal legislators to change pool safety laws locally and nationally. Connor's Law would mandate defibrillators at every public and private pool nationwide and would make it mandatory for the staff and pool personnel to be trained and certified on AED use.  The Connor Cares Foundation has been featured on many local news programs and nationally on Good Morning America.  Our fundraising events have included such names as Dave Coulier of Full House and Comedy Central's Frank Nicotero, along with other local celebrities.  We are working hard to bring national attention to the ideals of the Connor Cares Foundation which include the fundamental concept that all of our children are special and to lose a life to such a preventable epidemic as drowning is senseless.

Connor's Story

Connor Freed was born on a hot summer Maryland day on July 6th, 2000.  He was a special baby right from the start and was surrounded by so much love.  His dark hair and long eyelashes were very apparent right from the start.  All the nurses gushed that he was way too pretty to be a boy!  He was always a very laid back baby, for the most part, and got along with everyone he came across.

Though he was a shy and reserved little guy, he was also full of energy and a big goofball!  He loved to sing and dance around to his big sister, Brittany’s, favorite bands.  Even though they were ten years apart, they had an immediate bond right from the start.  Connor was a night hound; he enjoyed staying up late and sleeping in even later!  He knew that the Power Rangers came on at 10PM and would always manage to catch an episode before bedtime.  He loved going to the movies with his mommy and it was certainly one of their favorite activities to do together.  In fact, the last movie that Mommy and Connor went to together was Disney’s “Cars”.  Connor enjoyed riding his bike, playing baseball, and exploring the great outdoors.

On June 22nd, 2006, at a local country club, Connor drowned beneath an empty lifeguard chair in five feet of water.  A patron of the pool spotted Connor's lifeless body and pulled him out of the water.  Another patron began performing CPR as he threw up water.  Once 911 was called, they questioned, "Is there a defibrillator there?"  The response: "Yes.  But we are not allowed to use it."  Connor went into cardiac arrest in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.  We strongly feel that a simple defibrillator would have saved his life.  Since our tragedy, we made a promise to Connor that we never wanted this to happen to any other child.  We are keeping his legacy alive through the work of our foundation and will continue to strive for the safety of our precious children.