For immediate release
July 12, 2007

Contact:
Valerie Egel
( 919) 765-3005

BCBSNC Foundation Invests in Programs Across the State Aimed at Improving Health and Encouraging Physical Activity

Chapel Hill, N.C. – The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation has invested more than $560,000 in 11 organizations across the state through grants to fund programs designed to improve the health of vulnerable populations and promote physically active communities.

“We are committed to investing in organizations with the potential of having measurable impact in our communities,” said Kathy Higgins, president of the BCBSNC Foundation. “We believe that with grants to these 11 organizations, we are aligning our support with programs capable of improving the health and well-being of North Carolinians.”

The 11 grants include:

• $98,625 to the Diabetes & Endocrine Center of Cape Fear Valley Health System in Cumberland County to improve and expand diabetes-related health services. The increased support will allow the center to centralize all medical services, providing greater access to resources, including specialists, a registered dietician and certified diabetes educators.
• $69,300 to Winston Salem State University’s Grandparenting Program to create individualized care plans for grandparents and their grandchildren in Forsyth County. The comprehensive care plans connect families with health care providers enabling family members to receive full medical examinations along with recommended treatment for their health conditions, including specialist care, chronic disease management and medication.
• $62,000 to the Pines of Carolina Girl Scout Council for a new program called “Make Every Step Count.” Girl Scout members, ages 5 to 17 in 41 counties in the eastern half of North Carolina, will receive an activity kit with exercise and healthy food choice logs, as well as information about healthy foods, portion sizes, recipes and suggested activities. The program is focused on health, nutrition, fitness education and activities aimed at developing girls’ personal health choices.
• $60,000 to Lincoln County Schools for a nutrition education and physical activity program for students and staff at Lincoln Elementary Schools. The wellness program will impact 100 kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms.
• $59,302 to Reading Connections in Greensboro to support two clinics within the Moses Cone Health System in Guilford County. The funding will support a pilot program of 45 health care providers and 1,000 individuals living with diabetes to better educate patients and improve their understanding of treatment protocol. 
• $56,800 to Communities In Schools (CIS) of Moore County to build a fitness trail and a community garden at Aberdeen Elementary School. A school and community walking program will be implemented with the goal of increasing daily physical activity for staff, students and the community. The garden will encourage healthy eating habits and provide learning opportunities about healthy foods.
• $49,625 to North Carolina State University – Natural Learning Initiative to support Project POD (Preventing Obesity by Design). The project is designed to increase physical activity and access to healthy food by improving the outdoor learning environments of childcare centers. Two hundred children who attend daycare in the Triangle area are expected to benefit from the program.
• $44,997 to Council on Aging of Buncombe County for Project EMMA (Eat Better, Move More, Age Well). The project will incorporate fresh local foods into meals for seniors, increase access to local farmers’ markets and increase physical activity opportunities for seniors in Buncombe County.
• $30,200 to Hoke County to create a system-wide plan for parks and recreation facilities. Hoke County Parks and Recreation and Hoke County Public Health Departments will work together with East Carolina University to develop a plan to determine future facility needs and ultimately increase access to outdoor recreational areas.
• $25,000 to Rural Health Group in Roanoke Rapids to purchase an electronic medical records system for five rural primary care clinics in Halifax and Northampton counties. The new system will improve the quality of patient care.
• $5,000 to George Watts School PTA to purchase and install age-appropriate playground equipment for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students at George Watts Montessori Magnet School in Durham. The equipment will be used during recess to encourage active play.