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Press Releases
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Press ReleaseRecord Number of Runners Take to the Streets in the 27th Annual Blue Cross Broad Street RunRecent survey indicates 97 percent of runners plan to run again in 2007 Philadelphia, PA - May 15, 2006 - A record-breaking total of 13,550 runners crossed the finish line at the 2006 Blue Cross Broad Street Run, including more than 5,000 members of Independence Blue Cross health plans. Independence Blue Cross, long-time sponsor of the Blue Cross Broad Street Run and leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania, conducted a post-race survey of its registered members to gain feedback on the runners' experience. Ninety-seven percent of participants were so pleased with the May 7 race that they plan to run again in the 2007 Blue Cross Broad Street Run. Overall, the race was a huge success, described as "very motivating," "well organized" and a "wonderful community event in Philadelphia." Leading up to the race, Independence Blue Cross helped its health insurance members prepare for the run, developing and distributing a series of three online newsletters titled "In Training: On Your Mark! Get Set! Go!" The newsletters included training regimens, a gear check, nutritional information, and advice from local experts on running and weight training. "At Independence Blue Cross, our mission is to help our members live healthy lives, and that's why we have sponsored the Blue Cross Broad Street Run for ten years," said Independence Blue Cross President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph A. Frick. "We are proud to support this event to encourage our members and everyone else to choose a healthy lifestyle." In addition to hosting a successful event, IBC helped to raise more than $46,600 for the American Cancer Society this year. The local Cancer Society will use the funds for cancer research and patient care. Since IBC began sponsoring the race in 1997, it has raised more than $290,000 for the Cancer Society. "Every year the race gets more and more exciting for us at Independence Blue Cross, with runners from around the world and across the region congregating in Philadelphia for our hometown race," continued Frick. "We're already looking forward to the 28th Annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run." Independence Blue Cross offers a full range of resources to encourage members to live a healthy lifestyle and take an active role in their health care decisions. Its suite of ConnectionsSM disease management programs covers 21 chronic diseases and provides members with Health Coaches and the information and resources they need to learn more about their chronic conditions and become an active partner with their physicians in managing their plan of care. The company's Healthy LifestylesSM Program motivates members to live healthy and stay healthy through reimbursements for services and programs such as fitness centers, weight management programs, smoking cessation programs, and bike helmets, as well as discounts on a national network of alternative health practitioners, cord blood stem cell storage, and health and wellness products. Independence Blue Cross offers additional information, support and resources to pregnant members through the Baby BluePrints® Maternity Program for information. Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. 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. Independence Blue Cross recently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO and PPO health care plans. In addition, in 2005, Independence Blue Cross's Personal Choice was rated the No. 1 PPO in the nation and its Keystone HMO was ranked the No. 1 HMO in the region by health care consumers in a leading independent consumer magazine.
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