Participants walked a mile at GBMC’s campus on April 23 and logged miles virtually throughout the month of April to raise funds and awareness for the health system’s SAFE & DV Program
The Greater Baltimore Medical Center today announced the results of its 7th annual Walk a Mile in Their Shoes event that took place at GBMC’s campus in Towson, Md. on April 23 and as a virtual component throughout April.
Walk a Mile in Their Shoes brought the community together during Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April to support GBMC’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) and Domestic Violence (DV) Program, the region’s most comprehensive sexual assault, sexual abuse, and domestic violence treatment center. The event provides the critical funding that the program requires to continue offering confidential care to patients of all ages at no cost.
Virtual participants were able to log their miles each day on GBMC’s website or on social media to contribute to the event. This year’s walk exceeded expectations, with participants collectively walking and running over 8,600 miles, resulting in more than $100,000 raised.
“When we determined our fundraising goal for this year, we intentionally set the bar high. Our event committee is elated that we surpassed this once again this year. On behalf of those who both treat and are treated at GBMC’s SAFE & DV unit, we can’t thank all participants enough,” said Fred Chan, M.D., Walk a Mile event chair and chief medical information officer of GBMC HealthCare.
All proceeds from this event directly benefit the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination and Domestic Violence Program. Registered nurses on GBMC’s SAFE & DV unit are specifically trained and certified by the Maryland Board of Nursing to provide services for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Increasing awareness of these important issues that impact our community helps further the mission of this program to reduce and ultimately end such crimes.
“We want to thank our community, both local and extended, for their tremendous support in making this year’s event a tremendous success. The funds raised through this event will help us continue to offer free, expert care and programs to victims of sexual and domestic violence,” said John Chessare, M.D., President and CEO of GBMC HealthCare.
About GBMC HealthCare
The 342-bed, not-for-profit medical center (acute and sub-acute care) is located on a beautiful suburban campus and handles more than 23,000 admissions and over 52,000 emergency room visits annually. Since its founding in 1965, GBMC HealthCare’s accomplishments have validated the vision of GBMC’s founders to combine the best of community and medicine. GBMC’s main campus also includes three medical office buildings — Physicians Pavilion East, Physicians Pavilion West and the William E. Kahlert Physicians Pavilion North. In addition to its main campus located in Towson, GBMC Health Partners primary care practices can be found throughout the community with extended and weekend hours in convenient locations including Hunt Manor, Hunt Valley, Owings Mills, Texas Station, Perry Hall, Joppa Road and Jarrettsville. Gilchrist provides medical care, counseling and support to patients and their families at every stage of serious illness, even well before hospice is needed. Gilchrist serves more than 7,600 patients each year—in homes, residential care communities and other medical settings, and at our three inpatient hospice centers in Towson, Howard County and Baltimore. In addition, Gilchrist provides grief counseling and other bereavement services to 6,500 families throughout Central Maryland.
About GBMC Foundation
The mission of the Foundation is to generate charitable funds in support of GBMC HealthCare. The Philanthropy Committee members along with the GBMC HealthCare and Gilchrist Board of Directors, have a responsibility in carrying out this mission – with the support of philanthropy staff – through annual appeals, fundraising events, major and planned gifts and capital campaigns. Together, we will seek gifts from grateful patients, families and friends of GBMC HealthCare, as well as corporate, foundation and government grants.
