For Immediate Release
July 15, 2003
Contacts:
Michelle Douglas - (919) 765-2825
BCBSNC Foundation Announces Grants to Benefit Local Communities
Grants part of $1.1 million total for 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Foundation today announced 13 grants totaling more than $110,000. The grants will be used to support health and wellness programs across the state.
"The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation is proud of the effect these grants will have on our local communities," said Kathy Higgins, BCBSNC Foundation Vice President and Senior Director of Community Relations at BCBSNC. "The Foundation is building a legacy of health and well-being through support of innovative solutions to community health challenges."
The grants are part of a yearlong effort that will total more than $1.l million in 2003. The deadline for the BCBSNC Foundation's next grant cycle is July 11. Those interested in applying from grants can find information at www.bcbsnc.com/foundation.
Grants awarded so far this year include:
- Allegro Foundation ($10,000) - promoting the health of children with disabilities through movement education
- American Red Cross - Central N.C. Chapter ($5,000) - supporting blood programs and Red Cross Clubs at historically black colleges and universities
- Johnston County Industries Inc. ($2,198) - targeting economically disadvantaged women with developmental disabilities
- Mitchell Community Health Partnership ($5,000) - providing health care outreach for Hispanic children
- Pisgah Legal Services ($10,000) - funding disability assistance project
- Prevent Blindness North Carolina ($10,000) - providing vision screening for at-risk adults
- Tri-County Community Health Partnership ($10,000) - funding Know About Diabetes program, a series of workshops that teaches skills needed for diabetes self-management
- Wake Teen Medical Services Inc. ($10,000) - improving access to health care for low-income teens
- Davidson County Health Department ($8,500) - funding breast and cervical cancer control program
- Wake Health Services ($10,000 ) - educating and counseling the homeless population about diabetes; screening will also be provided
- Wayne Initiative for School Health ($10,000) - establishing school-based health centers in at-risk schools
- Family Counseling Service of Durham Inc. ($9,940) - educating families on techniques of long-term weight management
- Sisterhood Agenda, Inc. ($10,000) - educating at-risk minority girls about how to reduce disease and pregnancy, while promoting health, mentoring and peer influences
The BCBSNC Foundationprovides financial support to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians, supporting programs and services in response to grant requests, as well as programs supporting needs identified by the foundation.
Signature BCBSNC Foundation programs includeBe Active Kids, a program designed to teach preschool children about nutrition and physical activity; the Breast Health Project, a program designed to promote knowledge about breast cancer and the importance of early detection; and Blue Bikers, an interactive program pairing elementary classrooms with cyclists participating in Cycle North Carolina's seven-day ride across the state. The BCBSNC Foundation also sponsors the Be Active Van, which travels across the state providing information and fun, and interactive games promoting physical activity to North Carolinians.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering innovative health care products, services and information to approximately 2.9 million members, including approximately 546,000 served on behalf of other Blue plans. The company offers its members the Blue ExtrasSM value-added programs, which provide discounts and information on a wide variety of health-related services at no additional cost. BCBSNC also offers life, dental, long-term care and disability insurance products. For 70 years, the company has served its customers by offering access to quality health care at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health.
BCBSNC's HMO and POS products have earned Excellent Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of health care delivered to people everywhere. BCBSNC also has North Carolina's first and only NCQA accredited PPO plan - Blue OptionsSM. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Access BCBSNC online at www.bcbsnc.com.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering innovative health care products, services and information to approximately 2.9 million members, including approximately 546,000 served on behalf of other Blue plans. The company offers its members the Blue ExtrasSM value-added programs, which provide discounts and information on a wide variety of health-related services at no additional cost. BCBSNC also offers life, dental, long-term care and disability insurance products. For 70 years, the company has served its customers by offering access to quality health care at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health.
BCBSNC's HMO and POS products have earned Excellent Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of health care delivered to people everywhere. BCBSNC also has North Carolina's first and only NCQA accredited PPO plan - Blue OptionsSM. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Access BCBSNC online at www.bcbsnc.com.
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