May 23, 2008

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Donates More Than $640,000 to Not-For-Profit Organizations

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana has awarded more than $640,000 in grants to 54 not-for-profit organizations around the state in its first-quarter 2008 round of charitable giving.

Blue Cross’ corporate charitable giving program focuses on initiatives to positively affect health and physical well-being, as well as efforts that invest in education and the intellectual well-being of Louisiana’s residents. While primary focus is given to promoting learning and healthy communities, the company will also consider requests that contribute to the overall quality of life in the communities in which we live and work.

“We are very happy to be able to give this level of financial support to so many worthy causes around our state,” said Christy Reeves, director of Community Relations at Blue Cross and executive director of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation. “Blue Cross is honored to give back to the communities we serve and to support local organizations that improve the lives of all Louisiana residents. We believe putting dollars back into the communities we serve helps make Louisiana a better place to live for everyone.”

Approximately 106 applications for funding were received during the first quarter of 2008. Blue Cross reviews grant applications on a quarterly basis and awards grants based on feedback from an internal review committee and the Blue Cross board of directors.

Some organizations receiving funding include:

• American Cancer Society — $25,000 grant to aid needy cancer patients with transportation to receive cancer therapies throughout the state.
• American Red Cross — $16,850 grant to hold babysitter and safe-baby training for teenagers in the Baton Rouge area.
• American Society of Hypertension — $77,604 grant to hold outreach programs and hypertension screenings at six sites throughout New Orleans.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana — $25,000 grant for “Triple Play — A Game Plan for Body, Mind and Soul,” a program designed to develop an understanding of a healthy lifestyle and improve physical fitness.
• Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America — $20,000 grant to conduct public education programs “On Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease” across the state.
• Dillard University — $9,800 grant to conduct a health fair for the people of New Orleans’ Gentilly and surrounding neighborhoods.
• L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College — $37,250 grant to implement newly approved associate of science in nursing program at the school in Houma.
• Miles Perret Cancer Services — $75,000 grant to support the wellness center at Miles Perret in Lafayette.
• Ochsner Clinic Foundation — $23,044 grant for a six-week, intensive, hands-on summer science program with Ochsner scientists for high school students who have demonstrated an interest in science and healthcare careers.
• Special Olympics Louisiana — $25,000 grant for “FIT” with SOLA, a program designed to engage in the promotion of healthy bodies and lifestyles to people with and without intellectual disabilities.
• St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy — $22,500 grant for the Diabetic Outreach Program providing critical medications to needy diabetic patients.
• YWCA Greater Baton Rouge — $9,503 grant for ENCOREplus, a program designed to increase awareness of death due to breast and cervical cancers among high-risk medically underserved women. 

Blue Cross conducts quarterly funding cycles each year for both impact grants and corporate sponsorships. Organizations interested in applying for funding are encouraged to visit the Community section of the Blue Cross website for complete details on eligibility and application procedures.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is Louisiana-owned and –operated. Marking its 74th anniversary this year, the company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. It is a tax-paying mutual company, owned by its policyholders. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana also has district offices in Alexandria, Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport. The company’s subsidiaries include HMO Louisiana, Inc. and Southern National Life Insurance Company, Inc.