A Minute with Matt
Dear Friends,
This is a very important time of the year for UHCCF as our workplace charitable giving campaign begins. The majority of our funding comes from the generosity of our UnitedHealth Group employees through our annual employee giving campaign. In 2009, nearly 8,000 UnitedHealth Group employees contributed over $1 million to UHCCF. Together, with proceeds from an on-line auction and a company match, UHCCF received pledges of $2.15 million.
UHCCF receives support through other employee campaigns as a result of being a member of America’s Charities. America's Charities is a federation of nearly 200 of some of the nation’s most respected and best known non-profit organizations. Through this avenue, UHCCF participates in giving campaigns in both public and private workplaces across the country.
We also focus our efforts on raising funds in other ways. Our local offices have sponsored a variety of events including golf tournaments, runs, sporting events, dinners and auctions. Employee volunteers across the country give freely of their time and talents to make these events successful.
UnitedHealthcare is sponsoring a Pro-Cycling team this year. Through various events throughout the country, the team has been raising both money and awareness for UHCCF. Learn more about the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team in this issue of Wings of Hope.
Our strong company support and volunteer network enable us to use ninety-five percent of the funds we raise for grants to help children live healthier lives. You can read some of their stories in this issue.
These challenging economic times remind us how important each and every contribution is to UHCCF. We appreciate the support we receive from all of our donors and our volunteers as our work continues, one child at a time.
"I feel the capacity to care is the thing
which gives life its deepest significance."
-Pablo Casals
Giving Campaign - Coming Soon
The 2010 UnitedHealth Group Giving Campaign starts September 20, 2010 and runs through October 8, 2010. The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF) is pleased to once again be a giving partner, which means any amount you contribute during the 2010 UnitedHealth Group Giving Campaign will be matched, dollar for dollar!
In 2009, 64 percent of the funds UHCCF received were from the UnitedHealth Group Giving Campaign. Our generous employees enabled UHCCF to provide more than 450 grants worth an estimated $1.3M.
With the power of a dollar for dollar match opportunity, your generosity reaches farther than ever…and the money you donate helps families in your region pay for medical services such as speech therapy, or medical equipment like hearing aids and wheelchairs.
If you contributed to UHCCF last year, we sincerely thank you for your generosity and hope that you will continue your contribution this year. If you haven't contributed to UHCCF, we invite you to consider contributing.
As our way of saying "thank you" for your support, employees who contribute to UHCCF will receive:
If you contribute $20 total (less than $1 per pay period), you will receive a 2011 UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation calendar. |
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If you contribute $2 per pay period ($52 total), you will receive this year’s black teddy bear PLUS a 2011 UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation calendar. Collect a new teddy bear every year. |
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For a contribution of $10 per pay period ($260 total) you will receive a black Columbia® soft shell jacket (in either men’s or women’s style) PLUS a 2011 UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation calendar. |
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And for $40 per pay period ($1,040 total), you will receive a multi-colored (Aurora Borealis) collectible Swarovski crystal butterfly and a display plate PLUS a 2011 UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation calendar. Collect a new butterfly every year. |
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The Gift of Speech - "I Love You Mommy"
Please join us for a heartfelt audio presentation of Beth, the mom of Kellyanne, an eight year old grant recipient from Gaithersburg, MD.
http://www.uhccf.org/flash/audio/uhccf.html
Your Dollars in Action
Andrew - Raleigh, NC
Andrew has come a long way in his four years from not communicating at all to having conversations. Diagnosed with autism at 17 months, Andrew began Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy at 22 months. ABA uses operant conditioning methods and discrete trial teaching and his mother has noticed a big improvement in his communication.
A big fan of Buzz Lightyear and WALL-E, Andrew can now tell you what he wants. A typical day for Andrew includes preschool in the mornings with a "therapist shadow." The "shadow" helps Andrew understand the teacher's directions so he can participate in all of the activities. It is very important for Andrew to be in a classroom with his peers so that he can model his peers' speech and social interaction.
Afternoons for Andrew consist of one-on-one therapy sessions which can be very stressful for him. Because Andrew is responding so well to his therapy, he should require only minimal help by the time he reaches kindergarten.
The Foundation is assisting with the expense of the therapy. Astrid, Andrew's mother, learned of the Foundation through a friend that had also received a UHCCF grant. "This financial aid is impacting not only Andrew but our whole family," says Astrid. “When we received the grant, I felt like somebody actually cared."
Hannah - Claremore, OK
Musically inclined, Hannah does not let Type 1 diabetes slow her down. Hannah, 11 years old, plays the clarinet, likes to sing and is writing songs. Piano lessons are next on her list of things to do.
Hannah was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of eight. Gwendolyn, Hannah's mom, noticing a weight loss and other symptoms, took her to the pediatrician right away. Early diagnosis is important in preventing complications.
The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation (UHCCF) grant is assisting with the medication and supplies. Hannah uses an insulin pump, an alternative to multiple daily injections of insulin by syringe. Having attended classes on diabetes, Hannah is knowledgeable about her condition and is very responsible about testing herself several times a day.
Gwendolyn's boss made her aware of UHCCF after hearing about it on the radio. "It's a wonderful organization and has been very, very helpful to my family and I truly appreciate what they are doing," says Gwendolyn.
Isabella - Danbury, CT
Eleven year old Isabella is one of three adopted children in her family with special needs. Diagnosed two years ago with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Isabella was described by her school teachers as hyperactive, distracted, unable to concentrate and disruptive to her classmates. In an effort to help treat her behavioral symptoms associated with ADHD, Isabella tried different prescribed medications. Unfortunately, in her initial trials she did not respond well and it was recommended that she see a psychiatrist who would help determine which treatments would work best for her.
Isabella’s mom Ilka explains, "Every child responds differently to medication so it was important to us to work with someone who could help determine which was most effective. We found a great psychiatrist but our insurance did not cover the expense and it was quite costly for us."
Isabella's parents had learned about the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) through a local child advocacy group and had previously received grants for their other two children to pay for medical expenses associated with physical and psychiatric therapy as well as the cost of a hearing aid. To their excitement, the family learned in 2009 that Isabella also qualified for a grant and received $2,200 to pay for her psychiatric visits. Now, Isabella and her parents visit with her psychiatrist every few months to evaluate her progress and determine how effective her current medication is.
Ilka explains, "Isabella is progressing in terms of her overall development and socialization and she is a more focused and happy child. UHCCF and the grants we’ve received have been a lifesaver to us. We are very grateful because we could not have three kids with special needs and be able to afford all the necessary treatments without this type of assistance. Its hard to believe when someone is offering grants – but this program is very real and amazing."
Whitney - St. George, UT
Two-year-old Whitney is best known for her big smile. Living with her mom, dad and brothers Ethan and Grant, Whitney has been diagnosed with Spastic Cerebral Palsy and is totally dependent on others for her care. Whitney functions at a two to three month old level and is one hundred percent G-tube fed.
Swimming and music are two of her enjoyable activities and Itsy Bitsy Spider is one of her favorite songs. When not watching Sponge Bob on television, Whitney finds the vivid colors on the weather channel's Doppler radar fascinating.
The UHCCF grant is assisting with Whitney's feeding supplies and Botox treatments. Botox is injected into her thumbs and legs to help her relax so that her therapy is more productive and less painful.
An adaptive walker, called a gait trainer, will help improve Whitney's mobility. The grant will also assist with Baclofen pump therapy, a pump surgically installed in the abdomen that releases a muscle relaxant.
Whitney's mom, Stephanie, is "grateful and excited about the UHCCF grant program."
Pro Cycling Team Supports UHCCF
In 2010 UnitedHealthcare sponsored the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis. In addition to supporting UnitedHealthcare’s mission to help people live healthier lives, driving business growth, and increasing employee engagement, this top-ranked team has been promoting and raising funds for the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) all year long.
To date the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team has provided more than $70,000 in proceeds to UHCCF, including funds from the UHCCF Hazeltine Golf Tournament, winnings from races through July and a portion of apparel sales. The team expects to raise $100,000 for UHCCF by the end of 2010.
So far in 2010, the cyclists have been busy with 38 races in 26 states and 91 cities. Currently, the team has been on the wining podium 58 times and in first place 22 times—leading all other national teams. Thank you, UHC Pro Cycling!