Anthem Commits More Than $1.7 Million To Colorado Health-Improvement In 2014

DENVER – Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado’s work to improve health and strengthen local communities continued in 2014, as the company directed $1.7 million and hundreds of volunteer hours to health-improving causes, organizations and programs in Colorado.

“Anthem is committed to transforming health care with trusted and caring solutions, and that extends directly to our work in communities throughout Colorado,” said Mike Ramseier, president and general manager, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado. “We’re proud to support the organizations and programs that are working to help our friends and neighbors live their healthiest lives possible.”

Through its State Health Index – a compilation of public health measures – and Healthy Generations grant program, Anthem and its foundation work to identify the health issues impacting our local communities and then direct charitable support and volunteer efforts toward improving those areas.

Major areas of focus for Anthem in 2014 included promoting active lifestyles and working to reduce the devastating impact of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease and lung disease on Colorado children, adults and seniors.

“We know that as our local communities change and grow so do the diverse needs of our residents,” Ramseier said. “What’s not changed is our commitment to serving our members and advancing health in Colorado. It is a true honor to work with so many great people and organizations and we look forward to doing so again in the year ahead.”

 

2014 SUMMARY: ANTHEM BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD IN COLORADO COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

 

 

National Grant Programs

 

 

Colorado communities benefit from grants made by Anthem and Blue Shield’s parent company foundation to national and regional organizations:

  • American Cancer Society – Change Grant Program
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of America – Triple Play Program
  • OASIS - CATCH Healthy Habits
  • March of Dimes – CenteringPregnancy
  • USA Blind Athletes – National Fitness Challenge
  • American College of Sports Medicine Foundation – American Fitness Index

Colorado Grants

 

 

  • Disabled Sports USA - National Sports Center for the Disabled chapter support and kayaking program
  • American Diabetes Association – Everybody Move for Your Health

Community Events & Sponsorships

 

 

  • American Cancer Society – Champions of Hope Gala
  • American Heart Association – Heart Ball, Go Red for Women, Heart Walk
  • American Lung Association – Fight for Air Climb
  • Alzheimer’s Association – Walk to End Alzheimer’s
  • Mental Health America – Tribute Gala
  • March of Dimes – Signature Chef’s Auction
  • Project Angel Heart – Dining Out for Life

Associate Volunteerism

 

 

Through the company’s Dollars for Doers Program, associates are able to turn their volunteer hours into contributions for the charities which they support. Anthem associates volunteered more than 1,640 hours to Colorado nonprofits in 2014.

 

Associate Giving

 

 

Anthem associates’ contributions made through the company’s year-round Associate Giving program are backed by a 50 percent match from the Anthem Foundation, bringing the total paid out in 2014 to more than $160,000.

 

The charities in this year’s program were:

  • American Cancer Society;
  • American Heart Association;
  • American Red Cross;
  • Community Health Charities;
  • Feeding America;
  • St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; and
  • United Way
 

 

 

 

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. HMO products underwritten by HMO Colorado, Inc. Independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthJoinIn, or visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation
Through charitable grant making, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, promotes Anthem’s inherent commitment to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield serves. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s Associate Giving program which provides a 50 percent match of associates’ campaign pledges, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for Doers community service programs. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies.