Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation Wins Three National Awards for Communications Excellence from Council on F...( DETROIT May 1 /- The Blue Cross B...),Health

DETROIT, May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation has won three national awards in the 2007 Wilmer Shields Rich Awards Program. The awards, given by the Council on Foundations and the Communications Network, recognize outstanding communications efforts that increase public awareness of foundations and corporate giving programs. The awards will be presented at the 59th Annual Conference of the Council on Foundations on Monday, May 5, 2008 in Maryland.

The foundation has won 32 Wilmer Shields Rich Awards since 1995 (eight gold, 14 silver, nine bronze and one runner-up), including this year's awards:

-- Gold for a special report on "School Wellness: Increasing Activity &

Healthy Nutrition"

-- Silver for the "The Value of Quality," the foundation's 2006 annual

report

-- Silver for the http://www.bcbsm.com/foundation Web site, which provides

information about the foundation, funding criteria, available grants,

guidelines for submitting letters of interest, lists of published

research, an online edition of "Highlights" and links to other

resources

"We are honored to receive these prestigious awards for our communications efforts," said Ira Strumwasser, executive director and CEO of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. "It's a reflection of the talented and dedicated staff at BCBSM and BCBSM Foundation and their high standards in supporting research and programs that benefit the people of Michigan by improving health care quality, safety and access. BCBSM and the foundation have a unique Social Mission that benefits the people of Michigan and these efforts demonstrate our commitment to improve the health and health care of all who live in Michigan."

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation is dedicated to improving the health of Michigan resident
'/>"/>