Home Find a Health Insurance Plan Find a Health Care Provider For Members For Employers For Health Care Providers
Equally Effective. Compare, shop for, and save on generic prescriptions.

Press Release

Independence Blue Cross Rebuilds 11-Year Old's 'Field of Dreams'

14th Annual United Way Day of Caring Projects to benefit area communities

Philadelphia, PA - September 15, 2005 - Nearly every kid dreams of playing in the Major Leagues, and Zakki Strunk is no exception. The 11-year old can throw a fastball 43 mph on a good day. And, he’s talking to his doctor about getting off steroids so that he can be a clean superstar when he plays for the major leagues. But, Zakki is no ordinary kid.

Zakki has a congenital heart defect and severe heart and lung disease. At 11, he’s already waiting for his 11th heart surgery. Although Zakki doesn’t want to take steroids, he needs them to breathe.

He dreams of having a refurbished ballfield in his neighborhood so he can make his big break into the Major Leagues. He especially wants a real pitcher’s mound so that his left leg – now weak from a stroke – won’t get caught in the holes and make him trip.

This week, as part of the United Way’s Day of Caring, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) is rebuilding and refurbishing Zakki’s ballfield and two other fields at Von Colln Field in Fairmount Park, so that he and other Philadelphia youths can play ball in their own neighborhood.

In addition, associates at IBC and its affiliates is participating in three other Day of Caring events today:

  • Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler, PA. The Senior Adult Activities Center makes a positive difference in the lives of the elderly by providing opportunities for the elderly to build friendships, discover a renewed sense of purpose in their lives, and reach solutions to their problems with dignity. Volunteers will beautify the center by painting the interior and doing gardening and yard work.

  • Maternity Care Coalition, 2000 Hamilton Street, Suite 204. The Maternity Care Coalition helps low-income pregnant women and babies get the support they need for a healthy start. Volunteers will sort donations and bundle them into “new mom” gift bags. IBC associates also donated baby products and other items to be used in the gift baskets.

  • The ARC of Burlington County, 1014 Deacon Road, Hainesport, NJ. The ARC helps people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities become as self-sufficient and independent as possible and become active and responsible members of the community. Volunteers will do gardening, weeding and clearing the outdoor area for the children’s center.

“We at Independence Blue Cross are deeply committed to the United Way and to the importance of its work strengthening the services our community provides people in need,” said Joseph A. Frick, IBC President and CEO.  “The Day of Caring is just one small example of the United Way’s impact on making things better in the Philadelphia region.

“And I’m heartened that our associates enthusiastically support United Way’s Day of Caring and the United Way campaign year in and year out,” said Frick.

IBC has participated in the United Way Day of Caring for over 10 years. For the last two years, IBC associates donated over $1 million to the United Way campaign and these contributions have been matched by the company.

About 60 employees of Independence Blue Cross have joined the volunteer effort to refurbish the Fairmount Sports Association Von Colln Field at 23rd Street and Ben Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Thursday, September 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m..  Zakki Strunk is planning to visit the Day of Caring event to cheer on the work to rebuild his “Field of Dreams.”

All told, more than 130 IBC associates are participating in four Day of Caring events today.

Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.5 million people.

This month, Independence Blue Cross’s Personal Choice was rated the No. 1 PPO in the nation and its Keystone HMO was ranked as the No. 1 HMO in the region by health care consumers in a leading independent consumer magazine.

For more than 65 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered quality health care products and services tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, groups and providers. For more information on Independence Blue Cross, visit our website at www.ibx.com.