BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina & Pretty In Pink Foundation Provide Uninsured Breast Cancer Patients with Life-Saving Medical Treatment

NEWS RELEASE

Blue Cross NC Media Line: 919-765-3005
Blue Cross NC Online Newsroom: http://mediacenter.bcbsnc.com
Pretty in Pink Foundation: Becky Horn, 919-532-0532, bhorn@prettyinpinkfoundation.org

Blue Cross NC and Pretty In Pink Foundation Provide Uninsured Breast Cancer Patients with Life-Saving Medical Treatment

135 Women and Men Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Across North Carolina to Benefit from the Agreement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

[RALEIGH] – October, 25, 2019-  Local nonprofit Pretty In Pink Foundation announced the largest gift received in the Foundation’s history, at their annual signature gala. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) awarded Pretty In Pink Foundation a three-year gift to fund medical treatment for 135 low-income, uninsured North Carolinians with breast cancer across the state.

Any resident of North Carolina who is a U.S. citizen, has been diagnosed with breast cancer and meets the household income guidelines, can download an application online. Pretty In Pink Foundation has a primary focus of funding breast cancer treatment after diagnosis, focusing on state citizens that need immediate attention. The funds will be used to pay for surgery, chemotherapy administration and radiation therapy, with an emphasis placed on candidates located in the state’s most economically distressed counties. Pretty In Pink will work together with surgeons, oncologists and radiologists to acquire reduced rates, then use the Blue Cross NC funds to make invoice payments directly to medical service providers, allowing patients to focus on their health rather than financial stress.

“This investment is part of our company’s ongoing commitment to improve living conditions for all North Carolinians, providing a life-saving gift to individuals who are the most vulnerable.

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be devastating but funding this program will allow patients to focus on what’s most important—getting healthy,” said Cheryl Parquet, Director, Community and Diversity Engagement at Blue Cross NC.

“Breast cancer knows no socioeconomic bounds; women are afflicted at the same rate regardless of financial resources, but for low-income women, many have to make decisions that range from difficult to impossible, sometimes including, ‘Do I get the treatment needed to save my life, or do I buy food for my family?’ This gift from Blue Cross NC ensures that fewer women and men will have to make that choice,” said Becky Horn, Executive Director of Pretty In Pink Foundation. “The impact of this gift is truly life-saving.”

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina improves the health and well-being of our customers and communities by providing innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.9 million members, including approximately 1.1 million served on behalf of other Blue Plans. Since 1933, we have worked to make North Carolina a better place to live through our support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross online at bluecrossnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

About Pretty In Pink Foundation:

The mission of Pretty In Pink Foundation is to provide uninsured and underinsured breast cancer patients in North Carolina with financial assistance for quality, life-saving medical treatment. The Foundation works closely with patients’ medical social workers and cancer center charity care to ensure indigent patients have assistance to ease their financial burdens associated with care. Pretty In Pink Foundation was founded in 2004 by Raleigh breast surgeon Dr. Lisa Tolnitch and is headquartered in Raleigh, NC, with an office in Winston-Salem, NC. What began with assisting ten women in Wake County has evolved into helping thousands of women and men throughout North Carolina. www.prettyinpinkfoundation.org

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