Cigna Foundation Renews World of Difference Grant to Samahope
- Samahope receives $150,000 for new year
- In 2014, surgeries funded for 1,065 people in need
- Expansion planned for next year
BLOOMFIELD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Cigna Foundation today announced it will renew its World
of Difference grant for $150,000 to Samahope, a non-profit that
funds treatments for those who otherwise would not have access to care
in India and around the world. Samahope’s crowdfunding platform allows
anyone, anywhere to directly fund the work of doctors providing
life-saving medical treatments for women and children in need.
“We’re delighted to renew our grant to Samahope. Our initial grant has
made a difference to so many lives, people who may have not been able to
receive a lifesaving operation or treatment without Samahope’s support,”
said David Figliuzzi, executive director of the Cigna Foundation. “We
look forward to our continued partnership with Samahope.”
In 2014, the Cigna Foundation World of Difference grant to Samahope made
it possible for Samahope to support the work of 15 doctors globally,
along with providing training programs and making investments in
technology. Samahope funded treatments for 1,065 women and children,
streamlined its doctor reporting process, and developed a communications
program with partners and supporters. In India, Samahope is on target to
increase its medical partners after completing research and due
diligence on more than 40 potential partners.
Additionally, when the devastating earthquake hit Nepal in early 2015,
the Cigna Foundation worked with Samahope to ensure that a special
disaster relief grant was directed to them to ensure that women in Nepal
could regain access to a safe place for childbirth.
The Cigna Foundation grant renewal will make the next phase of
Samahope’s work possible, enabling the organization to bring on new
medical partners in India with expertise in maternal health, pediatric
congenital heart, and eye surgeries, and to build an India-targeted set
of advisors, including experts and thought leaders in public health and
corporate and individual philanthropy. Samahope also plans to pilot a
“center of excellence” program to create a laboratory for assessing the
impact of their work. Additionally, Samahope will identify target
geographies and determine an appropriate strategic path for expansion.
About the Cigna Foundation
The Cigna Foundation, founded in 1962, is a private foundation funded by
contributions from Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) and its subsidiaries.
The Cigna Foundation supports organizations sharing its commitment to
enhancing the health of individuals and families, and the well-being of
their communities, with a special focus on those communities where Cigna
employees live and work.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company
dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense
of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or
through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including
Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life
Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna
Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include
an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental,
behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other
related products including group life, accident and disability
insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and
jurisdictions, and has more than 89 million customer relationships
throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to
follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
About Samahope
Samahope funds doctors providing critical medical care for people in
need via a transparent, trusted technology platform for direct giving in
global health. These heroic doctors treat patients in poor communities
around the globe. Samahope connects individual donors to the doctors via
its website and pools funds donated to fund high-impact, low-cost
life-changing medical treatments for patients in need. Learn more at http://www.samahope.org.
Contacts
Cigna Corporation
Gloria Barone, 215-761-4758
Gloria.barone@cigna.com
