NORFOLK, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UHSM (Unite Health Share Ministries), a faith-based health care nonprofit founded on Christian beliefs and values, today announced its Steer Clear of Cancer campaign with Andretti Motorsports, part of Andretti Autosport, the global racing enterprise that boasts over 200 total race wins, in a joint effort to raise awareness for colon cancer. The renowned racing team claims four IndyCar Series championships, four Indy Lights titles, one Indy Pro 2000 and one USF2000 championship, a Silver Class GT4 championship, and captured victory five times at the famed Indianapolis 500-Mile Race. Now, the dynamic crew focuses its efforts on championing regular checks and early detection for colon cancer.
As March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, UHSM, in partnership with Jarett Andretti and Andretti Motorsports, will encourage members and non-members to #CheckIt4Andretti and #SteerClearOfCancer. The late John Andretti most notably went public with his battle against colon cancer by launching the #CheckIt4Andretti campaign to spread the importance of regular colorectal cancer screenings. Now, a year after his passing and on his 58th birthday, UHSM and the Andretti family are humbled to continue John's shared goal of spreading awareness of cancer screenings to promote early detection and treatment. UHSM will launch community initiatives to encourage its members and the wider public to Steer Clear of Cancer in his honor.
"We are proud to partner with Jarett and the wider Andretti Motorsports family," said Christopher Jin, president of UHSM. "It is an honor to support their family's journey and foundation for colon and colorectal cancer. By increasing awareness and the number of screenings, medical experts say we can avoid up to 50% of all cancers. To aid in early detection, we encourage our members today and every day throughout March to #CheckIt4Andretti and #SteerClearOfCancer."
To kick off the Steer Clear of Cancer initiatives and to honor John Andretti's birthday, UHSM, in partnership with Cancer Kinship and California Love Drop, will deliver meals, treats and supplies to say thank you to the doctors, chemotherapy nurses and support staff at St. Joseph's Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment on Friday, March 12.
In conjunction, UHSM launched a giveaway to incentivize members and non-members to get checked and spread awareness. Participants in the campaign can win an array of prizes geared towards motorsports fans, including the grand prize of a private race session with Jarett Andretti and other prizes that include signed Andretti merchandise, Abide Premium memberships, and UHSM Health Share swag. Learn more about the prizes and campaign details on the UHSM website. To enter the competition, members and non-members can follow the prompts on the Network for Good donation platform uhsm.networkforgood.com or text GIVE to (757) 530-5883. Contributions start at $10 and each donation dollar counts as one entry. For another chance at the giveaway, UHSM invites members to engage via social media by posting a photo of themselves at the doctor's office before or after getting checked. Members can enter the contest by using hashtags #SteerClearOfCancer and #CheckIt4Andretti and tagging @UHSMhealth. A social share or post-donation referral will count as ten (10) entries. Contestants and cancer screeners have until April 9, 2021 to post or make their online donations to enter the giveaway.
"It is very exciting to expand our community outreach," said Jarett Andretti. "UHSM has been incredibly welcoming and supportive of our family's mission to continue the legacy of my late father and encourage the wider public to get checked."
Along with the Andretti Motorsports partnership, UHSM has launched several community initiatives nationwide. In late 2020, UHSM announced its partnership with Cancer Kinship, a nonprofit which seeks to help patients and their loved ones adjust to a cancer diagnosis and treatment. UHSM recently teamed up with the Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC) to create the OCSC Community Corner, a season-long outreach program that provides nonprofit organizations tickets to share with the children and families they serve. UHSM also announced its partnership with Pure Game, a nonprofit organization that integrates character education curriculum and leadership coaching through sport into schools. UHSM also supports Cornbread Hustle, a staffing agency dedicated to second chances, to provide free disinfection to Dallas, Texas area churches while providing their telehealth program to church staff and their families. The program is also being used by other essential organizations, including Orange County's Second Harvest Food Bank.
ABOUT UHSM
UHSM (Unite Health Share Ministries) is a nonprofit, faith-based health sharing ministry that facilitates member-to-member health sharing among fellow Christians, serving as a connector to administer medical cost sharing. Christian healthcare is chosen by millions each year over traditional insurance plans, and UHSM stands alone as the only health share that offers members access to true prescription coverage through the CVS Caremark network. UHSM members also have access to nearly one million doctors, hospitals and specialists through the First Health PPO Network, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Inc. Headquartered in Norfolk, VA, UHSM offers simple, fair, and friendly healthcare programs to its members. The UHSM mission is to help Christian families fulfill their God-given purpose to care for one another, foster holistic wellbeing, and positively impact our communities.
About Andretti Autosport
Andretti Autosport, led by racing legend Michael Andretti, boasts a wide racing portfolio rooted in tradition and designed for success. Under the banners of Andretti Autosport and BMW i Andretti Motorsport, the Indianapolis-based team fields multiple entries across the INDYCAR SERIES, Indy Lights, the FIA Formula E Championship and the IMSA Prototype Challenge LMP3 division. The team also competes as Walkinshaw Andretti United in the Australian Supercars category through partnership with Walkinshaw Racing and United Autosports and additionally is set to field an entry in the new Extreme E championship via Andretti United Extreme E. The global racing enterprise boasts four INDYCAR SERIES championships, four Indy Light titles, one Pro Mazda championship, a Silver Class GT4 Championship and has captured victory five times at the famed Indianapolis 500. The team also holds two X Games Gold Medals and five U.S. rallycross championships. To share in the Andretti story, please visit online at AndrettiAutosport.com and follow on social media with #AllAndretti.
