In 2008...

12 children died from Child Abuse/Neglect in Bexar County

213 children died from Child Abuse/Neglect in Texas

6,612 children were confirmed Victims of Child Abuse/Neglect in Bexar County

70,589 children were confirmed Victims of Child Abuse/Neglect in Texas

(Data from Texas Department of Family and Protective Services DataBook 2008)

1 child is 1 too many....

Working in the Children's Emergency Department, we treat child abuse victims too often, and as we use our medical knowledge to help them, we wonder what more can we do?

Well...we've found our answer....we Walk for them!!  20 miles for every one of our patients and for every child who is a victim of abuse.

Raising awareness on Preventing Child Abuse!! We can not control what people do, but we can educate to PREVENT IT before it happens!

We are Team Mil Abrazos (One Thousand Hugs)...because we should HUG OUR CHILDREN NOT HURT THEM!!!

Thank you so much for your support...you have made a real step in preventing child abuse!!

With much thanks,

Team "Mil Abrazos" (CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children's Emergency Department)

Walkers: Cyndi Ballez, Kristin Riggs, Marybeth Burleson, Aly Davila-Alcala, Allison Martinez, Cynthia Garcia

Crew: Rebecca Dowdy, Synde Ryan, Lisa Fergerson, Vikki Gomez, Frank Lafferty, Ed Russell, Anna Flores, Roberta Gonzalez, Anabel Castro, Larry Elizalde

Team Support: Karen Witkowski, Betty Mercer, Olga Villarreal, Carmen Perusquia, Maxine Aranda, Joseph Spencer, Jessica Acop, Johnna Heinen, Joyce Garza, Juan and Virginia Garcia