Independence Blue Cross Takes Steps to Stop Diabetes

PHILADELPHIA, PA--(Marketwired - June 12, 2013) - Independence Blue Cross (IBC) marks the company's sixth-year as presenting sponsor of Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes, the American Diabetes Association's community fundraising event. This year, Step Out will be held Saturday, October 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In May, IBC hosted a kick off breakfast for business leaders featuring American Diabetes Association (ADA) representatives and other guest speakers who urged local executives to take action against this growing health crisis, which affects one in nine residents in the Philadelphia region and nearly 26 million people nationally.

The ADA has hosted community walks throughout the country for more than 20 years and raised over $175 million toward diabetes prevention, education, and advocacy. Locally, the 2012 event raised over $650,000 and attracted more than 4,700 participants, making it the largest walk in the country. This year the ADA looks to secure 4,700 participants and $700,000 in funds raised.

Speaking at IBC corporate headquarters, NBC 10 news anchor Jacqueline London welcomed representatives from local businesses and introduced guest speaker Chris Cashman, IBC's executive vice president and president of commercial markets.

"IBC proudly supports the ADA and Step Out as part of our continued commitment to our 173,000 members living with diabetes," said Cashman. "As trusted health care industry leaders in this community for the last 75 years, we have a responsibility to help people stay well, to demonstrate the importance of leading healthier lives, and to work with a proven leader in the fight to stop diabetes."

On behalf of IBC, Cashman pledged to form a team of more than 450 walkers and "Blue Crew" volunteers for the 2013 walk, and to beat last year's company fundraising total of $55,000.

About Independence Blue Cross
Proudly celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2013, Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania serving more than seven million people nationwide, including 2.2 million in the region. We are enhancing the health and wellness of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more about how we're changing the game, visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook at ibx.com/facebook and on Twitter at @ibx. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.