Capital BlueCross Calls On Area Corporations to Help Stop Diabetes

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital BlueCross today took the first step of a long walk to stop diabetes.

The company was joined by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to host a corporate kick-off for this year's fundraising campaign called Step Out, Walk to Stop Diabetes.  The campaign will culminate locally with a walk on Oct. 2, 2011, starting at Metro Bank Park on City Island in Harrisburg. Executives from about a dozen area companies attended the kick-off to learn how their employees can support the cause and walk along side Capital BlueCross and many others in October.

Capital BlueCross Chairman and CEO Bill Lehr is serving as chair of the campaign for the second consecutive year.

"The campaign was such a resounding success last year I agreed to chair the event again on behalf of the 26 million Americans who have diabetes," said Lehr. "It was not a hard decision to make knowing that I have the energy and support of so many caring Capital BlueCross employees."

Last year there were 140 communities nationwide that took part in the ADA's Step Out campaign. The central Pennsylvania walks ranked 15th in terms of funds raised, pulling in more than $331,000. Contributing to that cause were 180 Capital BlueCross employees and another 2,000 area participants.

"It is important for Capital BlueCross to keep people healthy," said Lehr. "That is why we embrace causes like Step Out. Diabetes has no boundaries – it afflicts children and adults of all ages. We need to stop this disease in its tracks before it becomes an uncontrollable epidemic."

"Each year the success of our campaign hinges on having a credible, supportive lead company like Capital BlueCross," said Denise Foran, Director, Central Pennsylvania market, American Diabetes Association. "The community will again rally around Capital's energy and together we will all make one huge stride toward raising awareness and stopping diabetes."

Anyone interested in joining or supporting Capital BlueCross for the Step Out walk in October can do so by going to www.diabetes.org/stepout. Select "Find your local walk"; enter your zip code; select Harrisburg, PA; Select Join a Team and choose Team Capital BlueCross. Or, to simply register, call 1-888-diabetes, ext. 4616.

SOURCE Capital BlueCross