Photo by Kent J. Edwards

May is National Water Safety Month, a reminder that while water can bring joy, it can also pose serious risks, especially for children. Across the United States, drowning remains one of the leading causes of death for children, with more than 4,000 unintentional deaths each year.

For many families, those risks are even greater. African American/Black children between the ages of 10 and 14 are more than seven times as likely to drown in swimming pools as white children their age. For families of children living with sickle cell disease (SCD) – a condition that primarily affects African American/Black individuals – the challenges can be even more complex, including safety concerns, limited access to appropriate swim programs, and longstanding misconceptions about whether swimming is safe at all.

Expanding access to water safety and swim education for children with sickle cell disease

The Cigna Group created the Safe Swimming with Sickle Cell (SSwSC) program to help address these challenges. Designed for children with SCD and their caregivers, the program combines clinically informed safety protocols, swim instruction, and community connection to help families feel more confident, prepared, and supported in and around water.

Built on three focus areas – education, confidence, and connection – the program offers:

• Water safety education tailored to children with SCD and their caregivers.
• Free, supervised swim lessons adapted for the children’s condition and needs.
• Culturally relevant community engagement designed to build trust and confidence.

The program was inspired by an employee of The Cigna Group whose daughter lives with SCD – turning a personal experience into an effort to support other families navigating similar challenges.

Challenging assumptions with a new approach to water safety

For years, many children with SCD have been discouraged from participating in water-based activities due to safety concerns related to temperature, fatigue, and hydration – factors that can trigger complications such as severe pain.

SSwSC challenges those assumptions by taking a different approach. Rather than modifying traditional swim programs, the initiative was designed alongside clinicians and safety experts to reflect the specific needs of children with SCD. These condition-specific protocols help make it possible for these children to safely engage in swimming while supporting their physical and emotional well-being.

With the right precautions, children with SCD can take part in moderate physical activity, including swimming, which may contribute to both their health and quality of life.

Expanding safe swimming access in communities that need it most

Since launching as a pilot in Atlanta, SSwSC has grown into a scalable, community-driven program focused on areas with the greatest need. In 2025, the program expanded to Memphis, TN, where communities face both higher rates of SCD and greater risk of drowning. Nearly all participants to date have been African American/Black children, many of whom had not previously received formal swim instruction.

Program impact so far includes:

• More than 200 children served over two years.
• More than 50 employees and community collaborators supporting the program.
• Partnerships with local hospitals, swim organizations, and community groups.
• National visibility through the documentary When Everyone Swims.

Continuing to expand access in 2026

In 2026, the program continues to grow, with new programs planned for Washington, D.C. and Maryland, alongside ongoing efforts in Atlanta and Memphis. This expansion is guided by data and community insight, with a focus on regions where SCD prevalence is higher and access to swim safety resources is more limited.

This spring, SSwSC also supported a water safety and education event held at Howard University in Washington, D.C., helping to bring programming and awareness to surrounding communities.

By working with trusted local health systems and community organizations such as YMCAs and Diversity in Aquatics, SSwSC is building a model designed to reach more families and deliver long-term impact.

Helping families build confidence, safer swimming habits, and community

At its core, SSwSC is about more than water safety. It’s about helping children feel included, helping families feel informed, and helping communities gain access to skills that can save lives.

“Safe Swimming with Sickle Cell is more than a community program, it represents what corporate citizenship looks like when innovation is driven by lived experience,” said Ivy Bryant, senior director of client relationship management at Evernorth Health Services. “By bringing together health care expertise and water safety education, we are helping remove barriers and create safer, more confident futures for families.”