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Related Program Learn more about the Y of Central Maryland's Fit N Fun program.

WASHINGTON DC – CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) and the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, today announced a major partnership designed to educate District youth about the dangers of childhood obesity and to encourage life-long healthy behaviors among children and their parents.

The "Physical, Healthy, Driven" (PHD) program is funded by a $1 million contribution from CareFirst and is part of a region-wide effort that includes a comparable program led by the Y of Central Maryland. The PHD program will strive to touch the lives of more than 10,000 children in D.C. over the next year.

"One out of four children in the D.C. metropolitan region is either obese or overweight and more than 9 million children in the United States are either obese or overweight," said Janice Williams, Senior Vice President of Program Development and Founder of PHD, YMCA of Metropolitan Washington. "Unhealthy kids grow up to be sick adults. We must bring play back into our children's lives. Their very lives depend on it."

CareFirst's sponsorship will help the YMCA reach children living in Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland. PHD has four major areas: health and fitness assessments; exercises that are creative and non-competitive; nutrition education, and family involvement. Currently, PHD is offered as part of the YMCA's childcare and camp programs and at local schools lacking physical education programs in the greater Washington, D.C., area.

"The dangers of childhood obesity are alarming," said Chet Burrell, President and CEO of CareFirst. "More than half of DC's children between the ages of 5 and 10 have at least one risk factor leading to cardiovascular disease. Starting kids off on a healthy path today can prevent chronic, debilitating and often deadly illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease."

The partnership with CareFirst has made possible the YMCA's Kids Health Mobile -- an RV-style vehicle fully loaded with an interactive gym, rock climbing wall, health assessment equipment and nutrition corner. The Kids Health Mobile will be used throughout the year to promote youth wellness at schools, health fairs and special events.

Washington Redskins all-time great, # 71, Charles Mann, was on hand at the event to announce the partnership. Mann may best be remembered as a menacing defensive force during the Redskins' 1988 and 1992 Super Bowl championship seasons. Mann, selected by the Redskins in the 1983 NFL Draft, finished his Redskins career with 82 sacks, second most in Redskins history.

"As a kid, I loved playing sports and staying active," said Mann. "That naturally carried over into my adult life. To be successful at anything you do, it's important that you're healthy. Playing sports, eating right and exercising are how you can get the most out of your abilities."

YMCA Membership opens the doors to many exciting individual, family, and community programs. With 16 branches of the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington and many off-site locations throughout the area, the YMCA has something for everyone, including child care and summer camp programs for kids and fitness and wellness programs for adults. For the branch that best fits your needs, please call 1-800-473-YMCA or 202-232-6700.

In its 71st year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to more than 3.2 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. Through its CareFirst Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas.

Media Contacts:

YMCA of Metropolitan Washington
Carol Gregory, 202-797-4497

CareFirst
Kevin Kane, 1-800-914-6397

About Maryland eCare
Maryland eCare, LLC is a group of independent hospitals committed to improving patient care and safety for the communities they serve by sharing resources and bringing skilled critical care to rural Maryland.

About CareFirst
In its 71st year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to more than 3.2 million individuals and groups in Maryland, Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia.

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