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SCAN Health Plan Arizona Supports Fight Against Parkinson's

Posted on: Monday, 2 March 2009, 13:34 CST

PHOENIX, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's economic climate, raising money for charity isn't the easiest task. After all, people have less money to give as they are challenged to address their own essential needs. But according to the employees at SCAN Health Plan Arizona, there is no better way to spend your day than supporting an organization that is doing miraculous things.

"Everyone is feeling the sting from the current economy, and it can be depressing," said Tom Lescault, president of SCAN Health Plan Arizona. "Coming together as a group and supporting a worthy cause can take your mind off those things and help you feel good about yourself and your community. At a time when you realize that your health is what matters most, it's uplifting to be able to reach out and support others who are fighting for their own health and well-being."

That is why more than 40 SCAN employees, friends and family participated in the recent "Walk the Fight," a 5K walk organized by the Parkinson Network of Arizona to raise funds for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Phoenix. The center provides medical diagnosis, care and treatment for people with Parkinson's, along with research, education and recreation opportunities designed to enhance their independence and quality of life.

As testimony to the center's work, a Parkinson's patient who was unable to walk two years ago before surgery walked on her own to the stage and encouraged others to take the leap of faith with research and treatment offered at the Parkinson Center.

"It was an emotional day," said Billie Davis, supervisor of marketing operations at SCAN. "I was proud to be a part of it."

The walk netted over $17,000, almost double the amount from last year. John Yonushonis, president of the Parkinson Network, thanked SCAN for its tremendous participation.

"Companies like SCAN give great hope to people like me and my brothers and sisters who have this dreaded disease," said Yonushonis. "With the cooperation and participation of SCAN and companies like them, we firmly believe there will be a cure in our lifetime."

Funds from the walk will be used to help improve lives of those with Parkinson's, purchase medicine for those who cannot afford it, and provide valuable research dollars to help achieve the network's vision - "a world without Parkinson's."

For more than 30 years, SCAN Health Plan has been focusing on the unique needs of people with Medicare and today is the fourth-largest nonprofit Medicare Advantage Plan in the United States. In Arizona, SCAN offers a health plan for Medicare and Medicaid-eligible individuals, provides long-term care services to individuals enrolled in the state's long-term care system in Maricopa County, and this year began offering a Medicare Advantage Plan in Maricopa County. The company also currently serves nearly 105,000 members in Southern California. Further information may be obtained at www.scanhealthplan.com.

SOURCE SCAN Health Plan Arizona

Source: PR Newswire

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