Aetna Awarded $219,000 to Arizona Nonprofits in 2008
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PHOENIX, Ariz., February 05, 2009 — Aetna (NYSE: AET) and the Aetna Foundation in 2008 awarded community grants and sponsorships in Arizona totaling $219,000, with a particular focus on disease prevention, obesity and health screening. The contributions support Aetna's commitment to enhancing the quality of health care, and reducing racial and ethnic disparities. In total, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation awarded more than $25 million nationally in 2008. The eleven grant recipients were:
"Aetna is proud to support organizations in Arizona which are making great strides in targeting health care issues that affect our communities," said Joanne Mizell, market head for Aetna in Arizona. "As a responsible corporate citizen, we recognize our obligation to help address these critical needs." The Aetna Foundation awarded a $40,000 grant to the Phoenix Children's Hospital to expand and enhance the Healthy Kids and Families programs in four ways: expand Kids Rock Stars; integrate FIT Families directly into Kids Rock; work with up to five pediatricians offices to provide education to children at risk for obesity; and to develop an Internet component to be used in schools for exercise programs. The American Heart Association received a $25,000 grant for the Have a Heart for Kids program that provides health curriculum to school children with the goal of teaching them that they have options and choices when it comes to food and physical activity. Under a $25,000 grant, the Arizona Lost Boys Center was able to continue providing treatment and ancillary services to help the Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan who live in the Phoenix area. Specifically, the organization addresses post-traumatic psychological problems of these young Sudanese war orphans. Aetna awarded a $25,000 grant to the Arizona Foundation for Women in support of two programs: The Sandra Day O'Connor luncheon, which is the largest fund raiser for the Foundation, and the Walk to End Domestic Violence program to support area shelters that serve women who are fleeing from domestic abuse. The Celebrity Fight Night Foundation, Inc. received a $25,000 sponsorship for Fight Night XV, which raised funds for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. Under a $25,000 grant, the Arizona State University Foundation increased the enrollment of minority, high-risk children in a National Institute of Health funded clinical pilot trial designed to test obesity treatment intervention. The American Diabetes Association received a $15,000 grant to continue diabetes education programs to high-risk communities (Native American, African-American, Latino/Hispanic, and Asian-American/Pacific Islander). Under a $12,500 grant, the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation promoted healthy weight and optimal physical activity for Latino children living in the Phoenix Metro area. Aetna awarded $10,000 the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to support the Promise Ball, which raises money for research to find a cure for diabetes. The Tucson Medical Center Foundation received a $10,000 sponsorship for the TMC Gala: Laughter is the Best Medicine. The annual event raises money for the Children's Miracle Network at the hospital. Under a $6,500 grant, Compass Health Care, Inc. will support the Tenth Annual Tucson Recovery Walk and Expo, which celebrates recovery from mental illness and addiction. The event provided educational materials, health screenings and alternative therapies to the 1,500 attendees. About the Aetna Foundation The Foundation's giving is focused on health, diversity and employee community involvement, with broader programs in our home state of Connecticut. Since 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed over $334 million in grants, sponsorships and social investments. In 2007, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation contributed $24.5 million nationally. Additional information on the Aetna Foundation is available at About Aetna |
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