Released by: The Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation

P.O. Box 113 Rye, NY 10580

Contact: Cindy Borassi

914-305-6674; borassi@coloncancerchallenge.org

as Partner of the Year With Inaugural Blue Star Corporate Award

NEW YORK CITY (January 26, 2012) — The Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation (CCCF) named EmblemHealth Corporate Partner of the Year with the presentation of its inaugural Blue Star Corporate Award. The ceremony took place at CCCF’s 2012 Kickoff and Awards Breakfast at EmblemHealth’s New York headquarters.

              William Gillespie, MD, Chief Medical Officer, accepted the award on behalf of EmblemHealth from CCCF President and Founder Thomas K. Weber, MD and organization Executive Director Dale L. Mintz, MPA, CHES. CCCF selected EmblemHealth for its promotion and support of the NY Colon Cancer Challenge®, which takes place annually in Central Park. This year’s 9^th Annual event will be held on Sunday, April 1, 2012.

            “We are delighted to recognize EmblemHealth for its extraordinary generosity in promoting and supporting CCCF,” said Ms. Mintz, who noted recipients of the Blue Star Corporate Award are chosen on the basis of consistency of giving and support to areas of greatest need and impact.

            “EmblemHealth has been a longtime friend and supporter of the Challenge and the fight to raise public awareness about colorectal cancer,” said Dr. Weber. “We look forward to working hand in hand with EmblemHealth in the coming years to make the dream of a world without colorectal cancer a reality.”

            “I am proud to accept this award on behalf of EmblemHealth, which is committed to supporting CCCF in its efforts to eradicate colorectal cancer,” said Dr. Gillespie. “The vast majority of colorectal cancer cases can be eliminated through screening, and there is generally an excellent prognosis for the disease if it is caught early. We will continue to support CCCF’s work in addition to our own efforts to educate EmblemHealth members and the public about the importance of screening.”

            In addition to sponsoring the Colon Cancer Challenge®, having representation on CCCF’s board and hosting its annual kick off breakfast, EmblemHealth has an array of initiatives to encourage screening among its members. These efforts include mailings; call campaigns in partnership with medical groups in Manhattan, Queens and Long Island; targeted- colonoscopy reminder calls to EmblemHealth members over 50 and Medicare members over 65; and a program that offers women incentives for getting screened.

            Thousands of people are expected to participate in this year’s 9^th Annual New York Colon Cancer Challenge®, which offers colorectal cancer survivors and the family and friends of those affected by colorectal cancer a unique opportunity to help raise public awareness and contribute to the fight against this often fatal, yet preventable disease. The event on Sunday, April 1 features a 4-mile run, a 15K run and a 1.7-mile Remembrance & Prevention walk.

About the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation and the 9^th Annual Colon Cancer Challenge:

The CCCF is dedicated to A World Without Colorectal Cancer through public awareness, prevention, screening and research. The Challenge continues to inform, educate and stress the importance of colorectal cancer awareness, screening and prevention, and the simple fact that it is, for the most part, preventable, treatable and beatable if diagnosed early using the screening techniques recommended by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC). CCCF will celebrate the 9^th Annual NY Colon Cancer Challenge® on April 1^st in New York’s Central Park. For additional information on CCCF, please visit events.coloncancerchallenge.org.

About EmblemHealth:

EmblemHealth, Inc., through its companies Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP), provides quality health care coverage and administrative services to approximately 2.9 million people. Groups and individuals can choose from a variety of PPO, EPO and HMO plans, as well as coverage for prescription drugs and dental and vision care. We offer a choice of networks, including quality doctors and other health care professionals throughout the region, leading acute care hospitals across the tristate area, and physicians and hospitals across all 50 states. For more information, visit www.emblemhealth.com.

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