BLOOMFIELD, Conn,--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the Cigna Foundation announced its second $100,000 grant to Shatterproof – a national non-profit dedicated to reducing the devastation that addiction causes to families and the stigma associated with this disease.
The grant – one of Cigna’s World of Difference grants – was officially announced at Shatterproof’s Hartford rappelling event last week, in which more than 140 people participated. The event was the latest in the Shatterproof Challenge Rappel, a series of rappelling events in cities throughout the country. Employees from Cigna’s Bloomfield headquarters participated as part of the largest team in the three-year history of the Shatterproof Challenge, with 84 participants who helped raise more than $75,000.
“We are honored to receive such incredible support from Cigna,” said Gary Mendell, founder and CEO of Shatterproof. “Cigna has always been a wonderful partner in achieving Shatterproof’s goals of raising awareness and resources for addiction prevention, treatment and recovery – and this grant is just the latest example.”
This is the second consecutive year that Cigna has given Shatterproof a $100,000 grant. The grant money will go toward funding Shatterproof’s new online resource center. The Shatterproof Resource Portal will be a place to maintain and share the most comprehensive, up-to-date, evidence-based information on preventing, intervening, treating, and recovering from the disease of addiction. It will be the first of its kind to serve parents, families, individuals, and professionals confronting addiction.
“The Cigna Foundation is proud to continue to support the work that Shatterproof does to stem the tide of the addiction epidemic our country faces,” said Cigna Foundation’s Executive Director David Figliuzzi. “We hope that with Cigna’s grant, Shatterproof will be able build a comprehensive Resource Portal where families can turn to find the information they need to help their loved ones fight this disease.”
About Gary Mendell
Gary Mendell is the founder and CEO of Shatterproof. Mr. Mendell founded Shatterproof to spare others the tragedy his family suffered with the death of his son Brian, who lost his battle with addiction in 2011. Mr. Mendell is the founder and former CEO of HEI Hotels & Resort and the former president of Starwood Lodging Trust.
About Shatterproof
Shatterproof is a national non-profit dedicated to reducing the devastation that addiction to prescription drugs, illicit drugs, and alcohol cause to families, and ending the stigma of those affected by this disease. Shatterproof provides information and resources for those living with addiction and their families, enabling powerful new evidence-based approaches to prevention, treatment and recovery, and takes the issue to the steps of Capitol Hill.
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 (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 909 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
