BLOOMFIELD, Conn.
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.
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CONTACT
Cigna Corporation
Gloria Barone, 215-761-4758
Gloria.barone@cigna.com
