Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) has awarded the Combined Health Agencies Drive (CHAD) and its statewide umbrella of 23 health care agencies the company’s Health of Nebraska Sponsorship, which is dedicated to supporting 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 seeks to support 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.
“Our goal with community funding is to cultivate lasting relationships and give back to our communities in ways that directly advocate for the health of Nebraskans,” said Kathy Nellor, health transformation leader at BCBSNE. “Nebraskans count on support from all CHAD member agencies, and it is a privilege to help them help others for the second year in a row.”
In 2020, CHAD’s 23 member agencies collectively assisted more than 37,133 Nebraskans with professional care or resources, ensured access to specialized or long-term support for over 9,625 patients and invested approximately $518 million in medical research alongside their national affiliates. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, CHAD and its member agencies have continued to find impactful, innovative alternatives to get and stay connected to the people they help across the state.
CHAD is a local organization raising funds with and for Nebraska’s health agencies across Nebraska since 1972. The agencies represented include: The ALS Association Mid-America Chapter; Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter; American Lung Association in Nebraska; Arthritis Foundation Nebraska; Autism Action Partnership; Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska; Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Nebraska/Iowa Chapter; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – Nebraska Chapter; Epilepsy Foundation Nebraska; JDRF Nebraska–Iowa Chapter; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Nebraska Chapter; March of Dimes, Nebraska & Western Iowa Market; Muscular Dystrophy Association of Nebraska; National MS Society, Mid-America Chapter; Nebraska AIDS Project; Nebraska Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation; Nebraska Community Blood Bank; 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.
“As we approach our 50th year serving Nebraska, CHAD is so pleased to have an outstanding community leader like BCBSNE to work with on what matters to the constituents of our health agencies across the state. March of Dimes, American Lung Association, JDRF and so many more are going to have the funding to support Nebraskans with new or expanded programming,” said Michelle Grossman, president and chief executive officer of CHAD. “We sincerely thank BCBSNE for investing in the health and well-being of all Nebraskans.”
For more information about CHAD and the work of its member agencies, or to donate, visit chadnebraska.org.
