Anthem contributed more than $1.5 million to improving health in 2016

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 8, 2016) – Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky announced that its foundation and 1,300 Kentucky associates contributed more than $1.5 million and nearly 2,500 volunteer hours to health-related causes and community events in 2016.

“Anthem has been a part of communities throughout Kentucky for more than 75 years. We care deeply about improving public health in our state,” said Deb Moessner, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky. “By working with non-profit health organizations and community leaders across the state, we know that we’re having a positive impact on the communities we serve.”

Highlights from 2016 included:

• Thousands of young people learned the importance of healthy, active lifestyles through the Foundation’s support of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Grants were awarded to clubs in Maysville, Franklin-Simpson, Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, Owensboro, Newburg and Parkland (Louisville).
• Anthem’s sponsorship of Healthy Living through the Arts, a program of The Fund for the Arts, brought dance 130 hours of programming to 473 students at five elementary schools and three community centers, imparting the value of healthy living and exercise while sharing the joy of dance and movement.
• Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield was a Statewide Sponsor of Greater Kentucky March for Babies and Louisville Signature Chefs Auction in 2016. The Selfie Station sponsorship at the March for Babies across State was very popular this year.
• With the Foundation’s funding, the OASIS Institute’s CATCH Healthy Habits program reached nearly 400 adults and 700 kids and resulted in an increase in physical activity by adult volunteers and an increase in kids’ consumption of vegetables.
• Through our relationship with the Jessie Rees Foundation, Plan President Deb Moessner had the opportunity to visit University of Kentucky’s Children’s Hospital in Lexington and distribute Joy Jars to pediatric cancer patients in the summer of 2016.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield associates also contributed personally and financially to improving Kentucky communities last year, volunteering nearly 2,500 hours of service and making charitable donations that totaled more than $155,000 with a match from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation.

“At Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, we are committed to the health and well-being of Kentucky communities,” said Moessner. I’m proud that Anthem associates gave so much personally and financially last year in pursuit of that mission.”