Bankers Life And Casualty Company Spreading Seeds Of Hope At The Bankers Life Fieldhouse

CHICAGO, April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For the tenth consecutive year, Bankers Life and Casualty Company is 'planting seeds of hope' to benefit the Alzheimer's Association.

On April 21, Bankers, the national life and health insurer, will tip off its annual Forget Me Not Days® event at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. 

The first 15,000 fans in attendance for the Indiana Pacers vs. Philadelphia 76ers game will receive a packet of Forget-Me-Not flower seeds to take home and plant in honor of families across Indiana who are facing Alzheimer's.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease including 120,000 people in Indiana alone.  This irreversible disease affects about one in eight people over the age of 65 and nearly half of people over 85. 

Since 2003, Bankers has supported the Alzheimer's Association with more than $2.4 million for care, education and research programs.

"Alzheimer's disease directly impacts our customers and their families.  That is why we support the Alzheimer's Association in raising awareness and funds to support advancements in research and to provide care and support to those affected by this disease," said Scott Perry, president of Bankers.  "More importantly, it gives hope not only to those with the disease but the 15 million Americans who care for them."

"Thousands of Hoosiers struggling with Alzheimer's disease use our services at no cost each year.  We rely on donations to provide this care, support and education as researchers work tirelessly to find a cure," Alzheimer's Association Greater Indiana Chapter Executive Director Heather Hershberger said.  "Bankers Life and Casualty Company is a key supporter.  We are grateful for the company's commitment to our vision: a world without Alzheimer's disease."

"The Indiana Pacers are proud to support Bankers Life in this initiative and pleased to engage our fans in attendance at this game," said Jim Morris, President of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. 

In May, Bankers' Forget Me Not Days fundraiser will swing into high gear nationwide.  More than 1,000 volunteers from Bankers will scatter the streets across 180 U.S. cities to collect donations to benefit their local Alzheimer's Association chapters.  Volunteers will hand out packets of Forget-Me-Not seeds in exchange for the donations. 

Last year, the annual street corner fundraiser brought in donations of more than $286,000 for the Association and almost 300,000 seed packets were handed out to donors and passersby.

About Bankers Life and Casualty Company
Established in 1879 in Chicago, Bankers Life and Casualty Company focuses on the insurance needs of the retirement market.  The nationwide company, a subsidiary of CNO Financial group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO), offers a broad portfolio of health and life insurance and annuities designed especially for seniors.  Visit Bankers online at www.bankers.com.

About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research.  Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; to advocate for policy change; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.  For more information, visit www.alz.org.

SOURCE Bankers Life and Casualty Company