FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Baltimore, MD (April 20) – On Friday, April 17, 650 community members participated in GBMC’s Walk a Mile in Their Shoes, the annual fundraising event benefiting GBMC HealthCare’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examination, Domestic Violence & Child Protection (SAFE/DV/CP) program. The walk is a powerful show of solidarity for survivors of sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, and human trafficking.
The GBMC SAFE/DV/CP program cares for victims of all ages at no cost to the patient. The program relies entirely on the support of the community and grants. Participation in Walk A Mile in Their Shoes secures necessary funds to offer this vital community resource. The event has raised more than $1.4 million for the SAFE & DV program over 11 years.
“Every survivor who walks through our doors deserves compassionate, expert care, and our SAFE, Domestic Violence & Child Protection team delivers that every single day,” Paari Gopalakrishnan, MD, MBA, President and CEO of GBMC HealthCare, said. “This being my first Walk a Mile, I was proud to see 650 members of our community come together to stand with survivors. That tells you everything you need to know about our community. I am incredibly proud of the team’s work and even prouder to see how deeply this community supports that mission.”
This year, TinySuperheroes, a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering children facing illness, disability, and medical adversity, was present at the event. TinySuperheroes is partnering with GBMC to offer Starter Kits to pediatric patients, whichhelp build courage, resilience, and confidence. Personalized Starter Kits include a superhero cape, an official squad patch, and access to a supportive community. Their presence at the event signified a commitment to supporting and empowering these victims and their families.
Erika Sinner, Chief Empathy Officer of TinySuperheroes, said in a release, “At TinySuperheroes, we believe every child deserves to feel strong, seen, and celebrated, especially during life’s most challenging moments. Partnering with GBMC for Walk AMile in Their Shoes allows us to extend that mission while standing alongside a team that is doing deeply important, lifesaving work for children and families in their community.”
The SAFE/DV/CP team consists of skilled nurses and advocates who provide medical and forensic exams to victims of sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, and human trafficking in a confidential, non-judgmental setting, and are available 24/7/365. The team also works closely with local law enforcement, the Child Advocacy Center and other community organizations to ensure patients receive the wraparound services they need during a vulnerable time in their lives.
Additionally, the program maintains a strong community presence, educating and training various groups and institutions across the state and beyond to recognize signs of violence and abuse with the goal of moving the needle toward prevention of these crimes. GBMC’s program has been consulted and is considered a national model of care.
Lucky Thompson, who has been a co-chair of the event for four years and is an impassioned advocate of the team’s work, said, “As a parent of three young daughters, the work of the SAFE, Domestic Violence & Child Protection team is deeply personal to me. Knowing this program exists for children and families in our community around the clock, at no cost, is something I'm incredibly proud to support. Eleven years of Walk A Mile in Their Shoes is a testament to how much this community cares about protecting its most vulnerable."
To learn more, please visit gbmc.org/walk.
About GBMC HealthCare
GBMC HealthCare is a true community-based system of care that holds itself accountable for delivering to everyone the care it would want for its own loved ones, from birth until death. Since its founding in 1965, Greater Baltimore Medical Center has been known as an outstanding, independent community hospital. Our 211 licensed bed acute care hospital in Towson handles more than 23,000 admissions and more than 52,000 emergency department visits annually. Our system also includes GBMC Health Partners, our multi-specialty group practice, with more than 300 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, and 12 advanced primary care practices throughout the region, working to keep people well by coordinating preventive care and managing chronic diseases. Gilchrist, a complete elder care company completes our system with the capability of caring for people through advanced illness and hospice.
Media Contact: Krystina Wales | 410-952-2558 | [email protected]
