Press release
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Foundation Receives Grant from Blue Cross & Blue
Shield of North Carolina
North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation
receives grant for SIDS prevention program
Chapel Hill, N.C. -- The Blue Cross and Blue Shield
of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Foundation has awarded nine
grants totaling more than $128,000 to nonprofit organizations
that improve the health and well being of North Carolinians
in communities across the state, including the North
Carolina Healthy Start Foundation, which is based in
Raleigh.
Grants were awarded to programs focusing on community
needs consistent with the BCBSNC Foundation's mission.
The mission includes increasing access to health care
for the uninsured and underinsured, eliminating racial
and ethnic health disparities, encouraging physical
activity, and promoting health screenings and education.
The North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation was awarded
$25,000 for their BESST Project (Baby's Easy Safe Sleep
Training Project), a parent/caregiver education program
aimed at reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS) in 63 high-risk counties across the state.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the leading cause
of infant mortality for infants ages one to 12 months.
In 2003, the North Carolina SIDS rate of 8.5 deaths
per 10,000 live births was higher than the national
SIDS rate of 5.7 deaths per 10,000. The SIDS rate among
blacks is double the rate of whites. BESST will target
counties with large minority and black populations
and counties with high rates of SIDS deaths.
"This grant will allow us to strengthen and broaden
already existing education programs," said Janice
Freedman, executive director at the N.C. Healthy Start
Foundation."By reaching communities that don’t
normally receive SIDS education, we have the potential
to save babies’ lives."
Additional grant recipients are:
- Alamance Regional Medical Center — awarded
$16,140 to establish a faith-based diabetes program
targeting minorities and high-risk groups in Alamance
County.
- Crossworks Inc. - awarded $10,000 to establish
a heart disease screening and education project aimed
at African-American populations in the rural, economically
distressed counties of Edgecombe, Nash and Halifax.
- Healthy Children of Rowan County - awarded $15,000
to establish a Type II diabetes screening and education
program targeting children in Rowan County.
- KOALA Inc. - awarded $5,000 to provide adult day
health care services to the elderly in Transylvania
County.
- New Bern-Craven County YMCA Inc. - awarded $7,019
to measure outcomes of the Kids in Motion program,
a healthy lifestyles and weight management collaborative
in Craven County.
- WakeMed - awarded $25,000 to provide physical activity
as part of the hospital's pediatric diabetes assessment
and management program serving many low-income and
minority children.
- YMCA of Catawba County - awarded $10,000 to establish
a physical activity and nutritional education program
for overweight children in five western counties.
- YWCA of Asheville - awarded $15,000 to continue
its diabetes services and educational outreach to
underserved populations in Buncombe County.
"These organizations are doing important work,
and it is essential that they be given the support
they need to help promote and facilitate healthy living
among North Carolinians," said Kathy Higgins,
vice president of the BCBSNC Foundation. "We hope
others are able to learn and grow from the example
set by these great organizations."
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North
Carolina Foundation
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North
Carolina Foundation provides financial support to improve
the health and well-being of North Carolinians. This
mission is achieved through programs and services funded
in response to grant requests, as well as through funding
for programs supporting needs identified by the Foundation.
The Foundation's primary focus areas include increasing
access to health care for the uninsured and underinsured,
eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities, encouraging
physical activity, and promoting screenings and education,
all with a focus on preventive care. Since its inception
in November 2000, the BCBSNC Foundation has awarded
more than $16 million in grants to organizations throughout
the state. Additional information about the Foundation's
signature programs and grant requirements, as well
as a list of all grants awarded, can be found on our
Web site at www.bcbsnc.com/foundation.
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