Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) has awarded the Combined Health Agencies Drive (CHAD) and 19 member agencies under its umbrella the company’s Health of Nebraska Sponsorship, which supports programs and services for Nebraskans affected by a medical diagnosis.

For more than 80 years, BCBSNE has offered security and stability to its members faced with medical expenses. Through its Health of Nebraska initiative, BCBSNE supports programs that address social determinants of health and health equity. BCBSNE’s sponsorship will directly benefit the missions of the various CHAD organizations, helping them to continue to offer meaningful, vital programming for communities across the state.

The member agencies across the state receiving the sponsorship include the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; ALS Association Mid-America Chapter; American Lung Association in Nebraska; Arthritis Foundation Nebraska; Autism Action Partnership; Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska; Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Nebraska/Iowa Chapter; Epilepsy Foundation Nebraska; Hemophilia Foundation; JDRF Nebraska–Iowa Chapter; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Nebraska Chapter; National MS Society, Mid-America Chapter; Nebraska AIDS Project; Nebraska Health Care Foundation; Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association; Nebraska Kidney Association; Susan G. Komen® Nebraska; Team Jack Foundation; and United Cerebral Palsy of Nebraska.

BCBSNE’s sponsorship will directly benefit the missions of each of these 19 organizations, as well as enhance CHAD’s existing inter-agency collaboration, community awareness, education and fundraising efforts.

“It has been wonderful to watch how this sponsorship has allowed agencies to grow and impact more Nebraskans,” said Kathy Nellor, health transformation leader at BCBSNE. “We are honored to be able to support these organizations, which are supporting the health and well-being of our state.”

Since the sponsorship began in 2020, it has directly impacted over 7,696 Nebraskans and supported events that together have raised over $1.1 million.

“As we celebrate 50 years of serving Nebraska, we are so excited to continue this partnership with BCBSNE and further the support of community agencies like the ALS Association, Susan G. Komen and so many others that give Nebraskans the crucial support and resources they need,” said Michelle Grossman, president and chief executive officer of CHAD. “I cannot wait to see what the new sponsorship year brings not only for CHAD but for all of our agencies.”

For more information about CHAD and the work of its member agencies, or to donate, visit chadnebraska.org.