Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Tackled Complex Health Needs in NH in 2016

Nearly $1 million distributed to non-profits across NH

MANCHESTER, N.H.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation continues its work with
a number of non-profit organizations focused on improving the health of
communities across New Hampshire.

With a focus on heart health, cancer prevention, prenatal care, diabetes
prevention, active lifestyles and behavioral health, the Foundation
teamed with organizations that set the standard when it comes to
implementing innovative programs that offer long term solutions to
complex problems. The Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem
Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire, invested about $1
million in local organizations throughout 2016, while employees devoted
hundreds of volunteer hours to directly assist non-profits dedicated to
strengthening the community and working to build a healthier future.

“New Hampshire is one of the healthiest states in the nation, and it’s
important we continue to work together to keep Granite Staters healthy.
We’re proud of the support we have been able to give non-profits that
are working to improve the health of our communities and improve the
lives of the people of our state,” said Lisa Guertin, president of
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “We look forward to strengthening
existing relationships and continuing to support the work of some
tremendous organizations.”

Support from the Foundation is working to take on some of the most
challenging health-related issues in New Hampshire, including the opioid
epidemic, while also encouraging young people to develop lifelong
healthy habits. A quick look at some of the impact the Foundation has
made includes:

• Granite United Way: The foundation provided a $75,000 grant to
  support the Safe Station program in the city of Manchester. Safe
  Station allows anyone seeking assistance with a substance use disorder
  to gain access to treatment by going to one of the city’s 10 fire
  stations. In the first nine months of operation, Safe Station took in
  over 1,000 people seeking assistance and provided a critical bridge to
  treatment. The foundation’s grant will support Safe Station in 2017
  and also allow for the expansion of a prevention program aimed at the
  city’s youth.
• Farnum Center/Easterseals NH: Anthem was again the presenting
  sponsor of the Farnum Center’s “Spirit of Hope” event, designed to
  raise awareness about substance abuse and to help fund treatment
  options for those in need in New Hampshire.
• Boys & Girls Club of Manchester: Donated 250 pairs of
  running sneakers to engage kids in healthy, active lifestyles.
• Manchester Police Athletic League (MPAL): Presenting sponsor of
  the annual Footrace for the Fallen, with all proceeds supporting MPAL,
  an after school athletic program to foster and maintain positive
  relationships between the youth of the Greater Manchester area and
  members of the Manchester Police department.
• Granite YMCA: Provided a $50,000 grant to sustain LIVESTRONG, a
  small group, instructor-led program that helps adult cancer survivors
  reclaim their well-being following a cancer diagnosis. Anthem also
  provided a $50,000 start-up grant for the program in 2015.

In addition to support given directly to these organizations, Anthem
associates turned their volunteer hours into contributions for the
eligible charities they support through our Dollars for Doers program.
In 2016, our associates donated more than 1,200 hours of their time
which generated more than $8,000 in much-needed grants for local
non-profits across New Hampshire. And supported by a Foundation match,
associates’ contributions made through the company’s year-round
Associate Giving Program generated more than $80,000 for local charities.

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.

Contacts

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire
Colin Manning
Public
Relations Director
(603) 541-2055 (office)
(603) 361-4459
(cell)