A great individual opportunity for exercise while practicing social distancing
Harris, NY – The RISE Program at Catskill Regional Medical Center is doing something a little different for its 9th Annual RISE Walk. This year’s organized group walk on Thursday, April 23has been cancelled due to current public health initiatives to help reduce the spread of coronavirus COVID-19. The event has been reimagined as a social media and online donation campaign.
The 2020 Virtual RISE Walk encourages people who are sheltering in place together during these unprecedented times to exercise at home or walk indoors on a treadmill, in support of Sullivan County RISE, during the week of April 20 through April 24. As you do, follow these participation guidelines to help maximize exposure of RISE – its important cause and invaluable services:
1) Wear something red.
2) Snap some photos or take a video of your workout.
3) Share them on social media, with a few words about your support for Sullivan County RISE.
4) Use the hashtag #riseupsullivan.
Virtual walkers who would also like to make a donation should visit www.crmcny.org/rise-walk. You can also download a free RISE Walk support card to include in your photos and videos. Walkers should also feel free to post their content to the RISE Walk Facebook page.
Anyone wishing to donate to the annual Sullivan County RISE fundraiser can do so online at www.crmcny.org/rise-walk. Donations are being accepted now.
This year’s online fundraiser and virtual walk will help draw attention to RISE – its cause and the services and victim advocacy it provides people in Sullivan County. Every year, more and more people stand up to take the steps necessary to stop the sexual abuse and exploitation.
“We are at a moment when more and more people are speaking out about their personal experiences with, and traumas centered around, sexual abuse,” said RISE Program Manager Debbie O’Malley. “With such important momentum for this cause, the RISE Walk gives us an opportunity to talk about it locally, to model respect for one another, and to dispel the myths around sexual violence, and break down the stigmas associated with victimhood. Change begins with awareness, and that’s what this is all about.”
According to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), there are 321,500 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States. Every 92 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted and every 9 minutes, that victim is a child. The RISE program of Sullivan County advocates for people, including children, who are or have been victims of sexual violence. It provides free individual and group counseling, as well as advocacy and the accompaniment of survivors to emergency departments, police stations and for court appearances. Through education and advocacy, the program encourages support for all survivors and works to end sexual violence.
For more information about the RISE program at Catskill Regional Medical Center, or to learn more about this year’s virtual RISE Walk, call the office at (845) 794-3300, ext. 2440.
About the RISE Program
The RISE program of Sullivan County, advocates for residents of all ages who are or have been a victim of sexual violence. RISE provides individual and group counseling, advocacy and accompaniment services to the emergency department, police station, and court appearances. Counseling and prevention education are offered to children at local schools. The Program maintains a 24-hour rape and sexual assault hotline by dialing (845) 791-9595. Trained staff and volunteers provide callers with emergency crisis intervention, crisis counseling as well as information and referrals. The program also provides free educational and or training programs to schools, community and professional organizations. RISE relies heavily on volunteer help. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information on services offered, please contact the RISE office at (845) 794-3300, ext. 2440, or by e-mail to rise@crmcny.org.
About Catskill Regional Medical Center
Catskill Regional Medical Center is dedicated to providing quality health care to residents of Sullivan County and neighboring communities at its 218-bed main hospital campus in Harris and at the 15-bed Grover M. Hermann Hospital in Callicoon. An academic affiliate of the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Catskill Regional Medical Center retains compassionate professionals who continually strive toward the hospital’s mission to improve the health of our community by providing exceptional health care. Catskill Regional Medical Center is a member of the Greater Hudson Valley Health System (GHVHS), which is recognized by Ethisphere as one of the 2018 and 2019 World’s Most Ethical Companies. To learn more about CRMC, visit www.crmcny.org.
