On April 13, 2015, employees and staff of Cooper University Health Care “planted” 59 blue pinwheels on the front lawn of the hospital outside the Roberts Pavilion in recognition of National Child Abuse Awareness Month. The pinwheels represent the approximately 59,000 households in Camden County with children under the age of 18. In addition, the exterior of Cooper University Hospital is aglow in blue lights throughout the month of April to bring further awareness.
Every year, 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving nearly six million children. Cooper is partnering with Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey’s “Pinwheels for Prevention” campaign to recognize and educate our community on child neglect.
“As a pediatric emergency physician, I have seen far too many cases of child abuse come through my doors,” said Kathryn M. McCans, MD, FAAP, attending physician in Cooper’s department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and expert in child abuse and neglect. “These children deserve better and it’s our job to raise awareness and get these families help before another innocent child is hurt. Speak up and tell someone if you suspect abuse; you could be saving someone’s life.”
Prevent Child Abuse America’s Pinwheels for Prevention campaign is an effort created to change the way our nation thinks about prevention and how we can deliver on our commitment to America’s children. The blue pinwheels are the new symbol for child abuse and are an uplifting reminder of childhood and the bright futures all children deserve. To learn more please visit pinwheelsforprevention.org.