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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation Dedicated to Healthy Kansans, Donates More than $767,000

TOPEKA, Kansas (March 1, 2024) – The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) Foundation donated $767,040 to more than 200 organizations during 2023. The dollars provided funding for a variety of programs focused on improving the health and well-being of Kansans, which is the overarching goal of the BCBSKS Foundation.

"The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation proudly supports organizations across our state that are making a difference in the lives of Kansans," said Marlou Wegener, Chief Operating Officer of the BCBSKS Foundation. "Last year’s funding went toward helping address the shortage of mental health providers in our state, supporting healthy lifestyles for local children, providing care to the uninsured, educating the next round of healthcare leaders and even saving lives.”

Receiving major grants from the BCBSKS Foundation in 2023 were:

  • Healthy Habits for Life – A total of 110 public and private schools (K-12) shared nearly $200,000 for funding of healthy initiatives for students. 
  • KU Endowment – A $100,000 commitment was made to the KU Endowment to help launch a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the KU School of Medicine-Wichita, this will continue yearly through 2025.
  • United Way – Accompanying the annual BCBSKS employee-giving campaign, $70,000 was donated to United Way organizations in Topeka, Salina, Wichita and Hutchinson. 
  • Bachelor of Science nursing students – A total of $83,000 was given to educational institutions for scholarships for Bachelor of Science in nursing students, as well as students seeking health-related degrees and certificates. 
  • Community health centers – $72,000 was donated to community health centers that provide services for the uninsured and underinsured to assist with health services for their patients. 
  • Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation – This foundation received $40,000 for the 2023 Kansas Mission of Mercy free dental clinic. 
  • Girl Scouts of NE Kansas NW Missouri – The program received $35,000 to support healthy initiatives programs and badges. 
  • First Tee – The organization received $30,000 to support First Tee programming in 15 counties across the state.
  • American Red Cross – As part of the BCBSKS Disaster Response Team partnership, the organization received $25,000.
  • Central Plains Health Care Partnership – The organization received $20,000 to support their Project Access initiative aimed at connecting people in need of health care with those who provide it.

Kansas currently has 60 child and adolescent psychologists. With a need of more than 400 psychologists across Kansas, the money given to KU School of Medicine-Wichita will help children living with mental health challenges receive needed services.

“I have been so impressed by the support from everyone in the community for this program. It will change so many lives and relieve so much suffering,” said Rachel Brown, MBBS, Professor and Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Services. “We are very grateful to the BCBSKS Foundation; we have been able to start the fellowship ahead of our plans with their support. On behalf of the program, the department, the school, and the many children, adolescents and families we will be able to help, our grateful thanks.”

The BCBSKS Foundation was incorporated in 2005 to promote the good health of Kansans who live in its 103-county service area (all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte). Through its giving, the BCBSKS Foundation focuses on key health issues that impact the lives of many Kansans. Since its inception, more than $10.2 million dollars have been given to organizations to support a variety of programs and initiatives that promote health improvement, community health access and/or health education, healthy behaviors, prevention initiatives or direct health services to the uninsured.

About the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation 

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation promotes the good health of Kansans who live in the Foundation’s 103-county service area. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, the largest health insurer in the state, incorporated the Foundation in 2005 as a way to further deepen its commitment to helping all Kansans lead healthier lives, an effort which both entities believe is an essential factor in keeping health care affordable. Through its giving, the Foundation focuses on key health issues that can impact the lives of many Kansans. It funds programs and activities that are, at their core, health-related and in particular, promote health improvement, community health access and/or education, healthy behaviors, prevention initiatives and direct health services to the uninsured. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Both entities serve all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte.