Thursday, September 19, 2019

Join Us and Take Part in the Hunt for Hope

The startling statistic is 1 in 8 women, roughly 12 percent, will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. And in 2019 alone, an estimated 268,600 new cases will be diagnosed, according to breastcancer.org. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a rare and very aggressive form of breast cancer that accounts for 1 to 5 percent of invasive breast cancers, is the most aggressive form of breast cancer, blocking lymph vessels in the skin and soft tissues. 

What Makes Inflammtory Breast Cancer Different Than Other Breast Cancers?

IBC does not present itself like any other breast cancer. For 90 percent of women, there is no lump that women find. IBC does not show up on mammography. Rather, there will be skin changes on the breast. The breast may become red, swollen and tender or resemble a bug bite or orange peel. IBC is often misdiagnosed delaying treatment. And sadly, according to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, IBC has a five-year survival rate of only 40 percent. 

Breast cancer research is a cause very close to Kathleen McMordie, owner of Texas Swim Academy, as her own mother was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 36. Three years later, Kathleen’s mother succumbed to breast cancer at 39 years young. 

Since the loss of her mother, Kathleen has had a strong desire to reach out and help others touched by breast cancer. After several years of research and outreach, she discovered Terry Arnold and the IBC Network Foundation and became an active supporter. Today Kathleen is a member of the Board of Directors and continues to help find ways to fund the organization’s crucial life-changing research.

The Hunt For Hope – Katy at Texas Swim Academy

The Texas Swim Academy facility and programs have been developed with saving lives in mind – and we are excited to be able to do so in more ways than one.

On Oct. 13, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., we will be sponsoring a family-friendly scavenger hunt through the IBC Network Foundation called the “Hunt For Hope – Katy.” All proceeds from the event will be going toward inflammatory breast cancer research.

Through the “Hunt For Hope – Katy” here at Texas Swim Academy, we hope to raise $50,000 to support ongoing IBC research at MD Anderson. We are proud to say every dollar donated will go directly to this worthy cause.

Those interested in participating in this fun-filled event can do so in one of two ways:

Donate directly to Kathleen McMordie’s campaign at the link below to help her reach her $5,000 fundraising goal: https://my.reason2race.com/Fundraiser/KathleenMcMordie

Or sign up for the event by registering here with a suggested donation of $25. Hunters will be giving a t-shirt on the day of the event, along with a list of items to search for and photograph!

We look forward to seeing you at Texas Swim Academy on Oct. 13 supporting a great cause!

SWIM SCHOOL IN KATY 

Texas Swim Academy is a state-of-the-art swimming facility offering water safety, survival swim, and kids swimming lessons in Katy, Texas. Owners Kathleen and Bruce McMordie, alongside our certified staff, help parents introduce children to water at an early age through the Infant Survival Swim Program , teaching life-saving techniques and basic swimming skills.

Our Stroke Development Program offers six different levels to help students progress in their swimming skills at his or her own pace. Our Adaptive Aquatics Program was created specifically for children with special abilities. Find swimming class registration information here. By subscribing to Texas Swim Academy’s blog , you can stay current on valuable water safety resources such as survival swim, health and wellness, Texas Swim Academy news and more. Follow our Facebook , Twitter, and YouTube pages for even more news, updates, and tips!

 

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Friday, September 13, 2019

Hope Always

As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. 

I was impacted by breast cancer after my own mother was diagnosed at age 36. She died from the disease at the age of 39.

As a nurse, I have always been interested in acute and curative medicine. When looking at charitable giving, I naturally drift toward health-related causes, however the business woman in me looks at organizations that are very effective in their mission. I have always had a strong desire to support breast cancer work. In my research, I found Terry Arnold and the IBC Network Foundation. I loved the mission of funding research for late stage inflammatory breast cancers. For several years, I have followed the progress of the Foundation and have been a supporter. I am excited to now be a member of the Board of Directors and assist in growing the organization and funding life changing research.

On Sunday, October 13, Texas Swim Academy is excited to host the Hunt For Hope – Katy. A family friendly scavenger hunt. We are trying to raise $50,000 to support the IBC research at MD Anderson. 100% of the money raised will go to this cause. To learn more about Inflammatory Breast Cancer and what we are doing, visit our website www.theibcnetwork.org

Join us for the Hunt for Hope Katy and participate. You can set up your page on Reason2Race and fundraise! Your registration fee for the Hunt gets you an event shirt. It is $25 for adults and kids under 16 participate at no cost.

https://my.reason2race.com/account/register/IBCNetwork/HuntforHopeTexas2019 

Thank you for considering this wonderful cause.

Hope Always,

Kathleen McMordie

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Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Year-Round Swimming Lessons Make A Difference for Your Child

Well-meaning parents operate with the best intentions, and when it comes to swimming lessons, many parents are intentional in signing their kids up for lessons during the spring and summer months in preparation for the many fun-filled days they plan on spending by the pool. But what about what many consider the “off-season?” Are swimming lessons still important during the months when swimming isn’t as prominent? 

The answer is without a doubt yes! Children are sponges, constantly taking everything in and absorbing the lessons being presented to them on a daily basis. Not only that, children are everchanging and growing each day. The importance of year-round swimming lessons goes beyond just practicing their skills; it’s vital to keep their swimming skills sharp as they grow and change developmentally. 

When it Comes to Katy Swimming Lessons, Consistency is Key

Mastering any new skill requires consistency. Children who regularly attend swimming lessons advance far more quickly and remember the skills they learned previously while adopting new and more advanced techniques.

But remaining in swimming lessons isn’t only about moving up the ranks. More importantly, year-round Katy swimming lessons give your child the ability to save his or her life, or the life of someone else in the future, should they find themselves in an aquatic emergency.

Drowning Knows No Season

The reality is, childhood drownings most often happen during non-swim times. It only takes seconds for a curious child to wander off before even the most devoted parent notices. It’s in those moments that children who have been properly taught the survival skills necessary to get themselves safely to the edge of the pool or at least into the floating position until an adult arrives can survive.

Year-round swimming lessons should be an integral part of a child’s life, no matter if they live in a home that has a pool or not. Accidental drownings can happen anywhere, at any time, and parents need to understand the value of equipping their children with such lifesaving skills. These skills are just as important of properly installing a car seat in your car and keeping your child safe, or taking your kids to their annual physicals to ensure they are healthy and properly growing. 

No one can predict their child’s personality and curiosities. And no one can certainly ever predict that they’d become that family whose child drowns. But being proactive and giving your kids the very skills that could save their lives at an early age (the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends kids around the age of 1 begin swimming lessons), matters.

Other Benefits of Year-Round Swimming Lessons

There’s no question that swimming lessons both improve the physical and mental well-being of children. It’s a great way for children to burn off excess energy during those months when going out for a bike ride or playing at the playground may be less than appealing due to inclement weather.

Swimming is also a great way for children to form new relationships with their peers. It’s a well-known way to strengthen bonds with friends and family members. And at Texas Swim Academy, we consider all of our students a part of our family! In fact, we look forward to watching your child grow throughout their lessons and become confident and strong swimmers. 

Join Texas Swim Academy for Fun Fridays!

We here at Texas Swim Academy are committed to supporting new and experienced swimmers alike. That’s why beginning Sept. 13, 2019, all students who attend our school are welcome to join us for Fun Fridays!

Parents, their children, and their TSA pals can splash, play and work on their swim skills together in our state-of-the-art Katy swimming pool facility at no charge! The pool is open from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. and the program will continue to run every Friday through May 22nd, 2020.

Take advantage of this great opportunity and come take a dip with Texas Swim Academy today. We look forward to seeing you there.

SWIM SCHOOL IN KATY 

Texas Swim Academy is a state-of-the-art swimming facility offering water safety, survival swim, and kids swimming lessons in Katy, Texas. Owners Kathleen and Bruce McMordie, alongside our certified staff, help parents introduce children to water at an early age through the Infant Survival Swim Program , teaching life-saving techniques and basic swimming skills.

Our Stroke Development Program offers six different levels to help students progress in their swimming skills at his or her own pace. Our Adaptive Aquatics Program was created specifically for children with special abilities. Find swimming class registration information here. By subscribing to Texas Swim Academy’s blog , you can stay current on valuable water safety resources such as survival swim, health and wellness, Texas Swim Academy news and more. Follow our Facebook , Twitter, and YouTube pages for even more news, updates, and tips!

 

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Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Understanding When Childhood Drowning Most Often Occurs

When people picture what it looks like to drown, many see a cartoon-like image of someone wildly flailing their arms and splashing while bobbing about in the middle of a pool or a lake. What people don’t realize is that drowning is almost always nearly silent, and it doesn’t take a large body of water for it to happen, nor does it always happen while people are actually in the pool and swimming together.

Drowning Doesn’t Always Occur When a Child Is Swimming

Sometimes a swimming child will find him or herself in a situation where he or she needs help in order to avoid an emergency when in the pool, lake or ocean during a planned swimming session. But the reality is, drownings most often occur when people aren’t even swimming.

It takes only seconds for a youngster to unknowingly leave the home through an unlocked sliding glass door, through a backyard gate and even through a pet or “doggie” door. And sadly, this is the typical situation for childhood drowning.

This can, and has, happened to even the best of parents for a variety of reasons. 

  1. Distraction

Parents and caregivers responsible for watching over kids often multitask and are engaged in other activities like food preparation, checking emails, doing laundry and so many other daily activities that are necessary.

  1. Distance

Younger children who are not within eyesight of a responsible parent or caregiver are at a much greater risk of drowning. Even a quick trip to the bathroom or running into the kitchen to grab a snack can be potentially hazardous for a curious child.

  1. False Sense of Security

Security in numbers is something far too few of us rely on. This is something which resonates with the friends and family of Levi Hughes, a beautiful 3-year-old boy who suffered a tragic drowning after quietly exiting a room filled with children and responsible adults. It’s vital to never assume someone else is watching a child. 

Katy Swim Lessons a Proven Preventative Measure in Drowning

In 2018, drowning claimed the lives of 91 children in Texas. Swimming lessons play a critical role in teaching children to have a healthy respect for the water and how to survive should they find themselves in a dangerous, life-threatening situation.

Children around the age of one can successfully learn valuable life-saving swim skills which ensures that they can remain safe should they find themselves in an unanticipated dangerous aquatic environment.

The Survival Swim Lessons taught here at Katy’s Texas Swim Academy ease precious youngsters into the water. Once comfortable, our knowledgeable and trained instructors work with babies and toddlers to teach them how to easily roll from their fronts to their backs in the water and then float until found.

For children who are in preschool or elementary school, we offer private lessons as well as group lessons that are geared towards teaching children important swim skills and how to be respectful of the water in a fun and engaging environment.

We also understand that children on the autism spectrum can particularly be drawn to water. This is why we offer our highly specialized Adaptive Aquatics program so that children of any ability can learn critical water survival skills while still having a great time in the water.

For more details on our swim programs, we invite you to contact us online, stop by our Katy swim facility or give us a call at (832) 437-6186.

SWIM SCHOOL IN KATY 

Texas Swim Academy is a state-of-the-art swimming facility offering water safety, survival swim, and kids swimming lessons in Katy, Texas. Owners Kathleen and Bruce McMordie, alongside our certified staff, help parents introduce children to water at an early age through the Infant Survival Swim Program , teaching life-saving techniques and basic swimming skills.

Our Stroke Development Program offers six different levels to help students progress in their swimming skills at his or her own pace. Our Adaptive Aquatics Program was created specifically for children with special abilities. Find swimming class registration information here. By subscribing to Texas Swim Academy’s blog , you can stay current on valuable water safety resources such as survival swim, health and wellness, Texas Swim Academy news and more. Follow our Facebook , Twitter, and YouTube pages for even more news, updates, and tips!

 

 

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