News
American Specialty Health Donates Over $15,000 to Y-ME’s 2008 Walk to Empower
SAN DIEGO (July 14, 2008) – For the fourth consecutive year, American Specialty Health (ASH) employees and their families and friends joined together to raise money and awareness for the 2008 Walk to Empower. The annual walk is organized to support the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization and its mission to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone.
The Y-ME Walk to Empower was held in San Diego’s Mission Bay Park. Walkers in San Diego joined forces with over 50,000 supporters in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Miami, Sacramento, Seattle, Tulsa, and Washington, D.C. to raise more than $9 million to help fund Y-ME’s educational workshops, 24-hour counseling service, and other projects. Y-ME’s programs are offered free of charge to all who need them.
The approximately 150 members of the ASH community who participated in the Walk contributed $15,890.21 to Y-ME. In addition to collecting pledges and donating their own money, ASH walkers raised funds in a variety of creative ways; the most popular events included bake sales, turkey raffles, lunches, garage sales, “pink” item sales, craft fairs, and dedication ribbons sold to those who have been personally affected by breast cancer.
ASH provided incentives for employees based on the level of donations they raised, ranging from $50 gift cards and “jeans week” to paid time off. All employees who participated in the walk and raised at least $50 in donations also received a unique team T-shirt designed by ASH.
Reflecting the wide reach of breast cancer, many ASH employees and their loved ones have been affected by this disease. ASH CEO and chairman George DeVries’ wife battled breast cancer.
“ASH is fully committed to doing whatever we can to help support such a charitable organization,” said George DeVries. “As the husband of a breast cancer survivor, I personally feel a strong sense of gratitude and appreciation for the Y-ME organization. I’d also like to thank our employees for helping to make ASH’s mission—to empower individuals to live healthier and longer—a reality.”
ASH was one of the top local corporate sponsors of the San Diego Walk to Empower.
The San Diego affiliate of the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization was established in 1992.
About American Specialty Health (ASH)
American Specialty Health Incorporated is a leading personal health improvement organization, providing specialty managed care programs, fitness programs including Silver&Fit, health coaching, reward programs, Internet solutions, and worksite wellness programs to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds nationwide.
Based in San Diego, ASH has over 600 employees and covers more than 13.4 million members in specialty managed care, fitness, and health coaching and wellness programs. For more information, visit ASH online at ASHCompanies.com or call 800.848.3555.