"The Isabel ad campaign saves lives. It's incredible."
"Together, the American Cancer Society and Blue Cross have been able to accomplish more than either one of us could accomplish separately."
At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, community commitment has been an essential element of who we are as a company and dates back to our founding 70 years ago. It is but one of the characteristics that sets us apart from for-profit, publicly traded health plans. We do not answer
to Wall Street; instead, we collaborate with many different organizations to help people live longer, healthier lives.
One of our long-standing community partners is the American Cancer Society. Given our history with this organization, it was a natural for us to seek guidance from Janet McGrail Spillane, Massachusetts Vice President of Cancer Control, American Cancer Society, New England Division, when we developed the Blue Care®Connection for Breast Health program. The program reaches out to members who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer, providing support and education and helping facilitate their treatment. This success of the program inspired us to feature Isabel Perez, a breast cancer survivor and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts member, in our advertising.
The ad campaign greatly impressed Donald J. Gudaitis, Chief Executive Officer of the American Cancer Society, New England Division. "The ad promotes Blue Cross products and services," Gudaitis said, "and a whole lot more. It's a public service announcement. Putting a human face on the disease helps raise awareness about breast cancer. It underscores the importance of early detection and breast self-examination. This ad campaign saves lives. It's incredible."
Literally and figuratively, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and the American Cancer Society are together every step of the way. Last fall, we were once again proud to be the flagship sponsor for the Society's annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Boston, which raises critically needed funds for research, early detection, patient support and advocacy. An astounding 1,400 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts employees, family members, and friends participated in the walk, making it one of the largest corporate teams ever fielded for an American Cancer Society event anywhere in the nation. The walk inspires countless people battling breast cancer. One woman said, "I feel like everyone is here for me."
At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, we are here for our members and the community.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts featured Isabel Perez in a moving advertising campaign.
"I thought: I'm young, I feel great, I take care of myself. Then one morning at the gym, after I'd finished my workout and was in the shower, I actually found my own lump. Not long after I was diagnosed, Laurie from Blue Cross called me — just out of the blue — and introduced herself as my own personal case manager. I know she had other patients she was taking care of, but I felt so special."
"And I realized that Blue Cross really wasn't just an insurance company. It was actually becoming part of my family."
— Isabel Perez, Breast cancer survivor, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts member
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