News
American Specialty Health Community Joins the Y-ME Walk to Empower; Raises Over $36,000 to Support Breast Cancer Programs
SAN DIEGO (June 23, 2005) - Employees of American Specialty Health (ASH) and their family members and friends joined in the nationwide Walk to Empower supporting Y-ME’s breast cancer programs and services, which are offered free of charge to all those who need them.
The first annual Walk to Empower was held in Mission Bay Park on Sunday, May 8, and began a new Mother’s Day tradition in San Diego. Walkers in San Diego were joined by thousands of other supporters in Chicago and Houston.
The 234 members of the ASH community—employees, family members, and friends—who joined in the Walk raised $36,769, which will help fund Y-ME’s programs and services.
In addition to collecting pledges and donating their own money, employees raised funds in a variety of creative ways—the most popular events included a “wear pink”-jeans day, bake sales, and a pink-lemonade and popsicle stand. ASH provided incentives for employees based on the level of donations they raised, ranging from talking pedometers to paid time off. Family members and friends were also eligible to receive incentives: ASH awarded non-employees $50 gift cards for each $500 raised.
Regardless of how much money they raised, all ASH Walkers received a yellow team T-shirt, which featured a unique design incorporating the ASH and Y-ME logos. The design was selected from several entries in a company-wide T-shirt design competition.
“We thought that, since this was the first year for the Walk, we would be starting small, with maybe 30 or 40 participants from organizations such as ASH,” said Jennifer Dues, Y-ME’s Walk to Empower coordinator. “We were overwhelmed by the commitment of ASH—both as a corporation and as individuals—and they exceeded our expectations with their enthusiasm and generosity.”
As is the case with any organization, many ASH employees have either been stricken with or somehow otherwise affected by breast cancer. The ASH team was led by co-captains Lauri Fox and Caitlin Specht, both breast cancer survivors.
“Being a co-captain for the American Specialty Health team has been an experience I'll never forget and I'm proud to have been part of Y-ME San Diego's first Walk to Empower,” Fox said. “Having battled breast cancer for the last three years, I know just how invaluable the resources and services that Y-ME provides can be to patients, survivors, and their families. Seeing so many people supporting Y-ME and the fight against breast cancer was awe-inspiring.”
“Aside from its purpose to raise awareness, the Y-ME Walk to Empower has been a celebration of spirit,” said Specht. “Last Mother’s Day, I couldn’t walk a half a block. Today, I walked three miles with friends, family and co-workers—and new friends. It was truly amazing to have so many people in one place supporting the men and women who face this disease.”
“We’re extremely proud of the generosity and spirit of our employees and their loved ones,” said George DeVries, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of ASH. “With over 200,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year, it’s more and more likely that we will all be affected by this terrible disease. It’s encouraging to see this level of support from our employees, and at the corporate level, ASH is committed to doing whatever we can to support such a worthwhile cause.”
The San Diego affiliate of Y-ME was established in 1992.
San Diego-based American Specialty Health, Incorporated (ASH) and its subsidiaries comprise the nation’s largest organization for complementary health care benefit programs, health education programs, and health-related products measured in terms of annual revenues, members/insureds, employees, and contracted health plans. ASH administers benefit programs for 12.1 million members and discount programs for over 80 million members. ASH is located at 777 Front St., San Diego, Calif. 92101; phone (800) 848-3555.
Visit ASH online at ASHCompanies.com.