(1888PressRelease)
October 15, 2006 - United States -- To kick off the 2006 cycling season, Group Health Community Foundation, the charitable arm of Group Health Cooperative, has awarded two grants to expand youth bicycle programs in schools. Cascade Bicycle Club Foundation has received $75,990 to expand its Basics of Bicycling program in east King County and Bike Works of Seattle has received $10,000 to offer bike safety rodeos, rides, and other activities to encourage an active lifestyle among youth in south King County.
"These grants show that community groups in King County are taking on the obesity epidemic in ways that promote physical activity as a fun, lifelong skill for youth," said Laura Rehrmann, Group Health Community Foundation president and CEO. "The foundation's grants give kids the skills for safe bicycling and an enjoyable way to exercise."
To demonstrate its commitment to get more people on their bikes and promote healthy lifestyles, Group Health is also sponsoring 25 cycling events in Washington this year.
Here are the four hottest events to look out for this year:
-- Feb. 18 & 19 -- The Group Health Seattle International Bicycle Expo
-- May -- The Group Health Commute Challenge
-- July 15 & 16 -- Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic
-- Sept. 9 & 10 -- The Group Health MS 150
Cycling is one of the easiest, most effective, and most enjoyable ways to get healthy and stay that way, according to Group Health physicians.
"One in three Washington residents owns a bicycle," said Matt Handley, MD, a Group Health family practice physician who cycles over 10,000 miles per year. Handley is one of dozens of Group Health staff, including CEO Scott Armstrong, that will be participating in the Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic on July 15 and 16.
Group Health Cooperative
Founded in 1947, Group Health is a consumer-governed, nonprofit health care system that coordinates care and coverage. Based in Seattle, Group Health and its subsidiary health carriers, Group Health Options, Inc. and KPS Health Plans, serve more than 590,000 members in Washington and Idaho. Group Health's commercial and Medicare plans have received the top rating of "Excellent" from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
Group Health encompasses medical and specialty centers, hospitals (including a full service community hospital), a nationally recognized research center, and a charitable foundation. Group Health and Group Health Permanente (its multispecialty medical group practice) combined employ more than 9,000 staff.
Please visit the virtual newsroom on our Web site, www.ghc.org under "Newsroom."
