UnitedHealth Group Pledges Additional $3 Million to Make-A-Wish Foundation®

More than 600 wishes funded in first three-year commitment

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- UnitedHealth Group has renewed its commitment to help bring hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions by pledging $3 million to the Make-A-Wish Foundation over the next three years.

Since 2007, UnitedHealth Group has funded more than 600 wishes through its three-year, $4.5 million alliance and remains one of the Foundation’s largest national sponsors.

In recognition of UnitedHealth Group’s commitment, the Foundation named the company a National Wish Champion. Each of the 65 Make-A-Wish chapters will be eligible to receive wish-granting funds by UnitedHealth Group to help the Foundation make more wishes come true in communities across the country.

"We at UnitedHealth Group are thrilled to extend our relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and help make more children’s wishes come true,” said G. Mike Mikan, Chief Financial Officer, UnitedHealth Group. “These kids have a resilient spirit that has touched many of our employees who have helped fulfill their wishes through workplace giving and volunteerism. Our sponsorship of the Make-A-Wish Foundation reflects our commitment to volunteerism and support for the health and well-being of the communities where our employees live and work.”

In addition to the financial donation, UnitedHealth Group employees across the country are helping to make wishes come true in their communities through workplace giving, volunteerism and other activities such as hosting send-off or post parties for wish kids. The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a child’s fondest wish every 40 minutes, whether it’s going to a theme park, enjoying a shopping spree, traveling to an exotic destination or meeting a favorite celebrity.

“UnitedHealth Group’s sponsorship is exactly the type of support that embodies the spirit of the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said David Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. “The generous donation funds so many wishes, but UnitedHealth Group employees really take our mission to heart and become such enthusiastic supporters, too.”

To celebrate the continued relationship, UnitedHealth Group and the Foundation are highlighting three wishes:

  • 8-year-old Shannon of Falls Church, Va., who wished to go to Hawaii, will be sent off in island style at a luau thrown by Virginia employees;
  • 14-year-old Cheyenne of Cudahy, Wis., will be floating on Lake Michigan on her brand new pontoon boat;
  • 5-year-old George of Bountiful, Utah, and his motley crew will be storming through his new pirate-themed playhouse.

About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group (www.unitedhealthgroup.com) is a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making health care work better. With headquarters in Minnetonka, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of health benefit programs through UnitedHealthcare, Ovations and AmeriChoice, and health services through Ingenix, OptumHealth and Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 75 million people worldwide.

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is one of the world’s leading children’s charities, with 65 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 193,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.



CONTACT:

Make-A-Wish Foundation
Brent Goodrich, 602-279-9474, ext. 3185
Media Relations Manager
[email protected]
or
UnitedHealth Group
Lauren Mihajlov, 952-936-3068
[email protected]

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  Arizona  Minnesota

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Health  Philanthropy  Professional Services  Children  Insurance  Consumer  Family  Foundation  Hispanic  Fund Raising  General Health  Managed Care

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