- New program recognizes individuals who make an impact on our communities
- Awards include Cigna Foundation grants totaling $130,000 per year
- First GO YOUSM designee is Susan Hester, founder of Mautner Project, Washington, D.C.
BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cigna (NYSE: CI) is recognizing exemplary people who have harnessed the power of the individual to create or grow nonprofit organizations that contribute to personal, family and community health. The new GO YOU Awards include Cigna Foundation grants of $20,000 to $50,000 to the organizations founded by the award recipients.
Maggie FitzPatrick (right), Cigna's chief communications officer, gives Susan Hester, founder of the Mautner Project, Cigna's first GO YOU Award finalist trophy. (Photo: Cigna Corporation)
The new award is an extension of Cigna's focus on encouraging people to be true to their selves and meeting their individual needs.
“The winners of the GO YOU Awards will have demonstrated how people can accomplish incredible things when they are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of those around them,” said Maggie FitzPatrick, chief communications officer for Cigna.
The first finalist designee is Susan Hester, the founder of Mautner Project of Washington, D.C. Mautner is dedicated to improving the health of women who have women as partners. Cigna officially awarded the finalist designation to Hester at Mautner Project’s “Over the Rainbow” gala Saturday, March 17, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Hester started Mautner Project in 1990 after she made a promise to her terminally ill partner, Mary-Helen Mautner. Hester promised to start an organization that could help other lesbians facing the overwhelming challenges of life-threatening illnesses.
“Being the first finalist for Cigna's new GO YOU Award is gratifying,” Hester said. “I’m thrilled that Cigna echoes and rewards our commitment to addressing health disparities among diverse populations and to improving the health of all individuals.”
To determine who will receive an award, a panel consisting of Cigna Foundation officers and others within the company with expertise in the field of health-related philanthropy will select one finalist per quarter based on recommendations from both internal and external sources. The panel will consider both the personal story of the potential individual recipient and the effectiveness of their nonprofit organization. The yearly GO YOU Award winner will be chosen from among the finalists based on a vote of Cigna employees worldwide. Each finalist organization will receive $20,000 from the Cigna Foundation. The winning GO YOU Award organization will receive an additional $50,000 grant.
About Cigna and the Cigna Foundation
The Cigna Foundation is a private foundation funded by contributions from Cigna Corporation and its subsidiaries. The Cigna Foundation supports organizations sharing its commitment to enhancing the health of individuals and families, and the well-being of their communities, with a special focus on those communities where Cigna employees live and work.
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has approximately 70 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
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CONTACT:
Cigna Corporation
Judy Hartling, 860-226-6272
[email protected]
KEYWORDS: United States North America Connecticut
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Women Health Professional Services Insurance Consumer Gay & Lesbian General Health Managed Care
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| Maggie FitzPatrick (right), Cigna's chief communications officer, gives Susan Hester, founder of the Mautner Project, Cigna's first GO YOU Award finalist trophy. (Photo: Cigna Corporation) |
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| Cigna has awarded its first GO YOU Award finalist trophy to Mautner Project. (Photo: Cigna Corporation) |