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BCBSNM Teams Up with Special Olympics New Mexico to Send 20 Athletes to the 2010

July 15, 2010

Albuquerque, NM — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is supporting Special Olympics New Mexico athletes who are competing in the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska, July 18 - 23, 2010.

The funds provided by BCBSNM and the nationwide Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association have allowed SONM to reach its National Games fund-raising goal to send 20 athletes from around the state to experience their first-ever Special Olympics National Games.

"Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico has, for as long as I can remember, been great supporters of the health and quality of life of our athletes,” says SONM Executive Director Randy Mascorella. "It was a thrill to learn that the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association signed on as an official partner of Special Olympics North America, which translated into a “healthy” National Games Sponsorship for TEAM NEW MEXICO. When national partnerships are established and have the ability to make an impact locally, the relationship takes on new meaning. This support from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is absolutely wonderful, and we will use the energy this has created in New Mexico to do more."

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is an official partner of Special Olympics North America. In collaboration with the national partnership, 24 Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies have adopted either an athlete or a team in their state that will compete in the National Games. By pairing up with the local teams, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies provide critical support for the athletes as they prepare for competition.

"Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is excited to be one of the sponsors for the Special Olympic New Mexico national team,” said Liz Watrin, President, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico. "We have participated for several years in the Healthy Athletes program of Special Olympics New Mexico’s state games, and we are happy to further our partnership with these outstanding athletes as they compete on a national level."

For many years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies have joined with local Special Olympics programs across the United States. This local support helps to fund events, equipment, transportation, and other necessities for competition, in addition to initiatives in health, education, inclusion, athlete leadership development, and support for families. This national partnership is part of a larger effort throughout the Blue Cross and Blue Shield system to make a difference nationally and locally by investing resources aimed at fostering healthy lifestyles.

With sports at the core, Special Olympics is the world’s largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion, and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities. With programming in the areas of health, youth and education, family support, research and policy change, Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continued opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and their communities.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield Of New Mexico

For 70 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico has been committed to the health care needs of our state, providing innovative products to administer a variety of benefit plans for New Mexicans. BCBSNM serves more than 300,000 New Mexico members, plus an additional 100,000 members through BlueCard® – members living in New Mexico with health care from other Blue Plans.

About Special Olympics New Mexico

Special Olympics New Mexico provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Today, more than 3 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities participate in more than 200 programs in 180 countries. Special Olympics New Mexico serves over 2,600 athletes, offering training and competition in 12 sports.


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