UnitedHealth Group Becomes First Health and Well-being Company to Join American Red Cross as Annual Disaster Giving Program Partner
- Ensures support is available to American Red Cross following disasters
- Formalizes long-standing relationship with American Red Cross
Minneapolis (March 25, 2009) – UnitedHealth Group [NYSE: UNH] today announced it has become the first and only health and well-being company to be an American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) Member. UnitedHealth Group is committing to a threshold level of multi-year support to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. This support allows the American Red Cross to prepare in advance of disasters and to respond quickly and effectively before the first donations are given in response to a disaster. Support from ADGP Members enables the American Red Cross to have warehoused supplies in key locations, recruit and train volunteers, and conduct other preparedness activities. While UnitedHealth Group has long supported the American Red Cross, this program formalizes the relationship and ensures the American Red Cross that they can rely on UnitedHealth Group for financial support.
ADGP Members are corporations or foundations that pledge significant, multi-year support for the Disaster Relief Fund. Donations to the Disaster Relief Fund provide support for shelters, meals, and clean-up and comfort kits, as well as mental health support for families and communities affected by disasters. ADGP Members may also work with Red Cross chapters in communities where they have employees or customers to support additional preparedness and health and safety initiatives. UnitedHealth Group will allocate its contribution to specific relief efforts as they happen throughout the year.
“UnitedHealth Group values the contributions that the American Red Cross makes in the communities where we live and work, and we want to help ensure that they can always respond when their assistance is needed,” said Jeannine Rivet, executive vice president, UnitedHealth Group. “As a health and well-being company, we know the devastating toll that natural disasters can have on a person’s well-being. We want to do all we can to mitigate the impact of crisis on our members, our customers, health care providers, and our employees.”
In 2008, UnitedHealth Group provided financial donations and volunteers following tornadoes in Tennessee, floods in the Midwest, and hurricanes in the Gulf Coast. The American Red Cross is also an eligible charity through the company’s annual giving campaign. Separately, employees are trained to provide services through the American Red Cross’s “Ready When the Time Comes” program.
“UnitedHealth Group has been a valuable partner of the Red Cross in disaster preparedness and relief, so I'm very pleased to now welcome them into the ranks of our ADGP Members,” said Jeffrey Towers, Chief Development Officer at the American Red Cross. “Through their commitment to the Red Cross, we will be able to respond at a moment’s notice to help families and communities during disasters.”
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to making health care work better. Headquartered in Minneapolis, UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through six operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare, Ovations, AmeriChoice, OptumHealth, Ingenix, and Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 70 million individuals nationwide.
