Aqua-Tots Swim Schools has announced a partnership with Phoenix Children’s and donated $25,000 to support care, research and advanced medical education.

"Partnering with Phoenix Children's has been a dream of ours for a long time," Ron Sciarro, co-founder of Aqua-Tots Swim Schools said in a release. "The heroic work they do in our community reaches far beyond the Valley, and it's an honor to work together to prevent childhood drowning."

Aqua-Tots, whose flagship school and headquarters office are in Mesa, has swim schools in 14 countries with a company goal of “saving lives by teaching children worldwide to become safe and confident swimmers for life.”

Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children 1 to 4 years old, and in Arizona, young children are drowning at almost double the national average, the release stated.

For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal, water-related injuries, according to Phoenix Children’s. The injuries include severe brain damage and long-term disabilities. 

"We are incredibly grateful for Aqua-Tots Swim Schools' generous donation," said Tim Harrison, vice president of corporate development and special events at Phoenix Children’s. "Their contribution will enable us to continue delivering the highest-quality care to our patients and make a lasting impact on their lives."