Sept. 28, 2018

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, the state’s only local health insurance company, is donating $500,000 to the American Red Cross for immediate relief efforts to South Carolina citizens and communities devastated by Hurricane Florence and its aftermath.

The American Red Cross, which has mobilized 3,000 disaster workers and volunteers from across the country, is providing food, shelter, supplies and other services to people in the Carolinas who have been forced to evacuate their homes. More than 1,700 people are staying in 31 Red Cross shelters across the Carolinas. Hundreds of roads remain impassable.  

“We take our role as a good corporate citizen seriously, and we are glad that we can help in this way,” said BlueCross president and CEO David Pankau. “We have a close relationship with the Red Cross and have witnessed its sustaining support for people in need of food, shelter and comfort for an extended time.”

The initial stage of disaster recovery will support organizations assisting with water and tree removal, food and water distribution, materials, and temporary shelter and lodging.

BlueCross, one of the state’s largest employers, has partnered with the Red Cross during other disaster recoveries and hosts dozens of employee blood drives throughout the year at its statewide offices.

About BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

Headquartered in Columbia and operating in South Carolina for more than 70 years, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The only South Carolina-owned and operated health insurance carrier, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina comprises more than 20 companies involved in health insurance services, U.S. DoD health program and Medicare contracts, other insurance and employee benefits services, and a philanthropic foundation that funds programs to improve health care and access to health care for South Carolinians.