“Wear Orange Day”: A nearby hospital promotes awareness of gun violence against children

Rochester, New York – At Golisano Children’s Hospital on Friday, a new mission was launched in response to the tragedy of child gun violence.

A nationwide day to reduce gun violence, “Wear Orange Day” brought together the hospital and local organizations.

An unnamed staff member at Strong Memorial Hospital claims that far too many children in the neighborhood have been affected by gun violence and that this is a problem that has to be addressed.

“It is so heartbreaking,” said the employee. “They need more support out here for these kids.”

The worker claimed that she had seen her own son suffer injuries from gun violence and that she regularly saw youngsters affected by it.

“It’s traumatizing for everybody,” said the employee. “I just don’t wish that on nobody.”

According to Chief Quality Officer Tina Sosa, the leading cause of death in the nation for youngsters under the age of 19 is gun violence.

“In 2023, Golisano Children’s Hospital cared for about 45 children who were victims of gun violence,” Sosa said. “That’s approximately a school bus full of children that we cared for in that year.”

According to the hospital, the youngest patient to suffer was just 1.5 years old. Most of the youngsters affected had either experienced intentional violence or self-harm.
Adam Oplinger, Manager of the Pediatric Trauma Program, outlined ways in which these tragedies can be avoided.

“When your child is going on a play date, you often ask about allergies in the playmate’s home,” Oplinger said. “It’s perfectly fine to also ask ‘Are their firearms in the home? And are they appropriately secured?’”

Retha Rogers lost her kid in a shooting incident in 2009. Fifteen years later, she works with Rise Up Rochester to raise awareness and help stop others from experiencing the unimaginable.

“It hurts me and brings back the memory every time I hear on the news, or find out that someone has lost a life to gun violence,” Rogers said. “So that hits home very deeply.”