EDMONTON, June 22, 2015 /CNW/ - Alberta Blue Cross is committing up to $350,000 to support and promote student wellness initiatives at Alberta's post-secondary institutions.
Funding will be made available to universities, colleges and institutes through the organization's new Post-Secondary Wellness Promotion Grant Program, which will support a variety of projects across the province to support young Albertans' health and wellness.
The new program reinforces Alberta Blue Cross's unique legislative mandate to support and promote the health of Albertans, as it continues to expand its focus on championing wellness initiatives across the province.
"While many health prevention programs target children and adolescents, young adults do not receive the same amount of attention," says Brian Geislinger, Vice-President of Corporate Relations with Alberta Blue Cross. "Our intent with this program is to support post-secondary institutions as they promote health and wellness among student populations."
Geislinger says grants could be used for a variety of projects including smoking cessation programs, healthy eating campaigns, programs to encourage active lifestyles and initiatives focused on mental health and stress management.
"We appreciate the valuable role that Alberta's post-secondary institutions play in preparing our young people with the skills they need to build successful futures for themselves and our province," says Geislinger. "This program recognizes that healthy young adults are essential to Alberta's future success."
Funding for the new program will come from the ABC Benefits Corporation Foundation, established by Alberta Blue Cross in 1998 in conjunction with its 50th anniversary.
This program is in addition to the Alberta Blue Cross Healthy Communities Grant Program, through which Alberta Blue Cross has committed $1 million over a five-year period to support and promote active living in communities across Alberta.
As Alberta's largest health benefit carrier, Alberta Blue Cross covers more than 1.6 million Albertans. The Alberta-based, not-for-profit organization is recognized as one of Alberta's Top 10 Most Loved Brands and as one of Alberta's Most Respected Organizations.
More information about Alberta Blue Cross is available online at www.ab.bluecross.ca
SOURCE Alberta Blue Cross
Image with caption: "Alberta Blue Cross (CNW Group/Alberta Blue Cross)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150622_C9726_PHOTO_EN_43627.jpg
Peter Haight, Communications Officer, Alberta Blue Cross at 780-969-1262 or [email protected].
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