DETROIT — In October, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is “going pink” to increase awareness about the importance of breast cancer checkups during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as part of its three-month #kickcancer campaign.  BCBSM will illuminate its downtown Detroit headquarters building, located at 600 E Lafayette, with a 12-story pink ribbon on both the north and south sides of the building, and support breast cancer awareness events in cities across the state.

“We launched our kick cancer campaign to capture attention that early cancer detection is vital, can save lives and lead to improved health outcomes for patients undergoing treatment,” said Andy Hetzel, vice president of corporate communications for BCBSM. “We want Michigan residents to visit their doctor for regular check-ups and preventive screenings that can save their lives.”

Here’s a look at some Blues’ efforts throughout October:

Oct. 1 – Oct. 26: American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks: In partnership with the American Cancer Society, BCBSM is organizing teams of walkers in Traverse City, Detroit, Kalamazoo, Flint, Ann Arbor and Lansing to participate in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Walks are noncompetitive, three- to five-mile events occurring throughout the state. In 2012, nearly 400 walkers representing BCBSM raised more than $43,000 to save lives while participating in Making Strides walks.

 

Oct. 1 – Oct. 31: Stories of Survival on AHealthierMichigan.org: BCBSM will post personal stories from breast cancer survivors and their family members on its online community, AHealthierMichigan.org.  On the blog, people will be able to comment and provide their own perspectives on the impact this disease has had on their lives, as new stories are posted throughout the month about fighting breast cancer. Information will also be shared by BCBSM on Twitter with #kickcancer.

 

Oct. 7 – Oct. 8: Michigan Blood and Blue Care Network Host Women’s Cancer Fund Blood Drive in Traverse City: Michigan Blood will host a benefit blood drive at the Traverse City Donor Center located at 2575 Aero Park Drive on October 7th and 8th for the Women’s Cancer Fund. BCN will make a $10 donation to the Women’s Cancer Fund for each person who registers to donate blood during the two-day drive. In addition to the donation to the Women’s Cancer Fund, BCN will also provide T-shirts for anyone who registers to donate during this event. By participating in this cause based blood drive, donors will not only help to fulfill the need for blood, but also assist in providing funds and raising awareness for the Women’s Cancer Fund.

 

Oct. 12: “Go Pink” at Michigan State University’s homecoming football game, BCBSM is partnering with Michigan State University to promote breast cancer awareness at the football team’s Oct.12 homecoming game against Indiana University. BCBSM is planning a number of activities to promote breast cancer awareness during the game, including distributing reversible “go green/go pink” and “go white/go pink” cheer cards to game attendees that will enable fans to turn Spartan Stadium pink. Spartan cheerleaders will also be using the cheer cards during the game to encourage the crowd to promote the cause. BCBSM will also have two booths available at the stadium providing #kickcancer prevention andearly detection information.

 

The Blues encourage women to get regular mammograms at intervals recommended by their doctors. Under the terms of the Affordable Care Act, starting Jan. 1, 2014, private health plans like BCBSM will cover in-network, evidence-based preventive services, such as mammograms, with no member cost-sharing.

BCBSM’s wellness and care management program for members, BlueHealthConnection®, provides a variety of resources to help members get healthy or manage illness and disease, including breast cancer. It offers valuable online resources, digital health coaching and case management services to help members and their families understand complex diseases like cancer as well as test results and treatment options.

The company also sponsors the Michigan Breast Oncology Quality Initiative, which examines practice patterns in surgical, radiation and medical oncology to improve breast cancer treatment and outcomes. It’s one component of BCBSM’s Value Partnerships program, which works with physicians and hospitals to address some of the most common and costly areas of surgical and medical care, including breast cancer. To learn more, visit www.valuepartnerships.com.

For more information on National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Blues’ efforts to help kick cancer, visit AHealthierMichigan.org or follow #kickcancer on Twitter.

— Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more company information, visit //www.bcbsm.com.