CIGNA Joins Coach Jim Calhoun in Race Against Cancer

CIGNA HealthCare President David Cordani to lead CIGNA employees in Cancer Challenge Ride; CIGNA to sponsor CIGNA-Calhoun Rider Zone 


BLOOMFIELD, Conn., June 1, 2007  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CIGNA HealthCare President David Cordani and University of Connecticut men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun share an enthusiasm for cycling and a desire to help in the fight against cancer. That's why CIGNA will sponsor the CIGNA-Calhoun Rider Zone at the Big Y Jim Calhoun Cancer Challenge Ride on June 9 in Simsbury, Conn. and why Cordani and CIGNA employees will participate in the ride.

Bikers and visitors to the CIGNA-Calhoun Rider Zone will be able to register for the event, get bike repairs, visit sponsor tables, enjoy refreshments, and pick up important health information. The ride will benefit the University of Connecticut Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center and Coaches vs. Cancer(R), a program of the American Cancer Society and National Association of Basketball Coaches.

"This is an important part of CIGNA's efforts to help people improve their health through prevention and education. By riding in the Cancer Challenge Ride, we can all bring attention and funding to the battle against cancer," Cordani said. "Being a cancer survivor himself, Coach Calhoun is a powerful voice for cancer prevention and research. CIGNA is pleased to support his efforts."

Coach Calhoun said he is happy to have CIGNA aboard. "I am very grateful for CIGNA's generous support and for the support of CIGNA HealthCare President David Cordani and all the employees of CIGNA.  Their commitment to ride, donate and volunteer with me on June 9 means a great deal to me and my family and will do much to help in the fight against cancer," he said.

In addition to its support of events in the community, CIGNA has joined forces with the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) to provide members in CIGNA's comprehensive oncology program added support through cancer diagnosis, treatment and survival. The materials provided by LAF, along with the health coaching and case management support members receive through the oncology program, help those with cancer become more empowered in their own care.

In addition, through its health advocacy programs, CIGNA encourages members to get appropriate cancer screenings in order to detect cancer as early as possible, when it is most treatable. For example, the company sends at-risk members free colorectal cancer home screening kits.  CIGNA also encourages members to adopt healthy habits, offering information and health coaching support programs such as those that help members attain their ideal weight, quit smoking and become more physically active.

About CIGNA HealthCare

CIGNA HealthCare, based in Bloomfield, CT, provides medical benefits plans, dental coverage, behavioral health coverage, pharmacy benefits and products and services that integrate and analyze information to support consumerism and health advocacy. "CIGNA HealthCare" refers to certain operations of Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, which is an operating subsidiary of CIGNA Corporation. Products and services are provided by such operating subsidiaries, and not by CIGNA Corporation. For more information, visit http://www.cigna.com/

About the Big Y Jim Calhoun Cancer Challenge Ride

The Big Y Jim Calhoun Cancer Challenge Ride is an annual statewide event to benefit The Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Connecticut Health Center and Coaches vs. Cancer, a program established in 1993 by the American Cancer Society. The ride is open to everyone who wants to join Coach Calhoun in the fight against cancer. 

DATASOURCE: CIGNA HealthCare



CONTACT: Judy Hartling of CIGNA HealthCare, [phone],

 



Web site:  http://www.cigna.com/



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