UAlbany Commemorates the 10th Anniversary of “We Care” and Prepares for Out of the Darkness Walk Next Week
By Amy Geduldig
ALBANY, N.Y. (April 21, 2026) — Last week, the campus community came together to mark a milestone — the 10th annual “We Care” event. Hundreds of volunteers assembled 1,000 comfort kits for survivors receiving care through Albany Medical Center’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner program.
Organized by UAlbany's Office of Health Promotion, the event brought together volunteers from across campus and the Capital Region to prepare kits containing clothing, toiletries, comfort items and handwritten notes of encouragement. The supplies will be distributed to patients undergoing forensic exams over the coming year.
“We are here to show our collective support of patient survivors at Albany Medical Center, knowing that each of us has a role to play in fostering a culture of survivor support and ALSO one that values prevention in the first place. Each of us can make a difference and help make that moment slightly better through the care packages we put together. Individually we can do good, but when we come together... we can change many lives for the better,” said Naishaly Velez Galan, survivor advocate in UAlbany's Office of Health Promotion.
“When ‘We Care’ began, the goal was simple: to bring together everyone who cares for survivors of sexual assault and trauma, and to show that together, we can do far more than we ever could alone. It is a privilege to care for people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives... This means so much to me personally, and even more to the community we serve,” said Kaylin Dawson, forensic program manager for the Division of Forensic Medicine at Albany Medical Center.
Out of the Darkness Walk
The campus community will gather again next week for another major event focused on mental health awareness — UAlbany’s annual Out of the Darkness Walk.
Co-hosted by the Office of Health Promotion and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the walk brings together students, faculty, staff and community members to raise awareness about suicide prevention and reduce stigma around seeking help.
Participants will walk a 1.5-mile route through the Uptown Campus while sharing stories, honoring loved ones and connecting with campus and community resources focused on mental health support. The event also serves as a fundraiser supporting AFSP programs, including suicide prevention research, education initiatives and crisis response efforts.
Campus leaders, student organizations, local advocacy groups and elected officials are expected to participate.
Registration for the walk is free and open to the public. Individuals and teams can sign up or contribute to fundraising efforts by visiting afsp.org/ualbany.