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36 Worcester Business Journal • Giving Guide 2016 www.wbjournal.com 233-3535 | (800) 842-4464 healthnewengland.org/employer New England is now in Worcester County. Talk to your broker or call to find out how we can work for you. Improving the well-being our communities for over 30 years. Health New England, our mission is to improve the health and the people in the communities we serve every day. We live mission by supporting the health care needs of our members, proudly supporting local, like-minded organizations that make life better for those in our communities. Rays of Hope: Walk & Run Toward a Cure for Breast Cancer EVERYTHING PINK. Pink scarves, pink hats, pink hair, pink sunglasses, even a pink car or two … If you've ever participated in the Rays of Hope Walk & Run in Springfield, Massachusetts, then you're quite familiar with this scene. But if you haven't, you may be wondering why all the pink? Since its inception in 1994, the annual Rays of Hope Walk & Run has supported the community in the fight against breast cancer by walking alongside them on their cancer journey. More than 18,000 people made it out to the 2015 Rays of Hope Walk & Run to bring awareness, strength and hope to our communities. This year, Health New England, a local health plan whose mission is to support the health and lives of the people in its communities, is proud to be the presenting sponsor. Health New England has been involved in this cause for 20 years, last year raising more than $20,000 for Rays of Hope and the Baystate Health Foundation. "Volunteering and giving back to our communities is a big part of the culture at Health New England," said Sue O'Connor, Health New England's 2016 Rays of Hope Campaign co-chair. "It's great to see so many of our associates participating in all the fundraisers we have leading up to the event, and then walking along with their friends and families the day of the event." Health New England has a long-standing tradition of hosting a number of fun and exciting fundraisers in the months leading up to the Rays of Hope Walk & Run. Past fundraisers have included themed raffle baskets, a dunk tank, a bail a leader out of jail event, bake sales and many more creative events. Kristen Mara, who also serves as this year's campaign co-chair, noted the personal connection that many Health New England associates have with Rays of Hope. "Everyone knows someone who has been affected by breast cancer at some point in their lives, so it's a cause that really hits home," she said. "Knowing that together we can make a difference in the lives of our friends and families in this community means the world to us." The 2016 Rays of Hope Walk & Run will take place on Sunday, Oct. 30, in Forest Park in Springfield. The event is open to the public, family friendly and appropriate for all ages. If you haven't been to the Rays of Hope Walk & Run in the past, consider checking it out this year. Through the Baystate Health Breast Network, Rays of Hope cares for the whole person from diagnosis and beyond by supporting research at the Rays of Hope Center for Breast Cancer Research, providing funding for state-of-the-art equipment, breast health programs and outreach and education throughout Baystate Health as well as providing grants for complementary therapies and cancer programs to our community partners throughout Western Massachusetts. Rays of Hope has raised over $13 million to date to support a cure for Breast Cancer. Based in Springfield, Massachusetts, Health New England is a non- profit health plan serving members in Massachusetts and Connecticut. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Baystate Health, Health New England offers a range of health care plans in the commercial, Medicaid and Medicare markets. Health New England has supported Rays of Hope for 20 years, holding many creative fundraisers such as themed raffle baskets, a dunk tank, a bail a leader out of jail event and bake sales. Last year, Health New England associates raised more than $20,000 for Rays of Hope and the Baystate Health Foundation.