Press Releases: 2005

Healthy Hoops Participants Gear Up For Fall Challenge Spaces Still Available & Open to Public

Columbia, SC - Select Health of South Carolina, AstraZeneca, the University of South Carolina, and a coalition of local healthcare providers will present the Healthy Hoops Fall Challenge on Saturday, October 8th from 9am-1: 30pm at the USC Basketball Practice Facility.

The Fall Challenge is the third and final component of the Healthy Hoops Program. Kicked off earlier this year in Columbia, Healthy Hoops uses basketball as a medium to teach children and their families the importance of regular exercise and nutrition in managing asthma, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

The Fall Challenge is considered a reward for those children who participated in the Healthy Hoops kickoff and health screenings. As part of the latest program, participants will receive instructional basketball training from celebrity coaches to include Philadelphia 76er Advisor, Sonny Hill; USC Men’s Basketball Coach, Dave Odom; and Former LaSalle University Basketball Coach, Speedy Morris. The Fall Challenge will also include asthma education for children and their parents, food, Healthy Hoops basketball jerseys, and tickets to the Philadelphia 76ers vs. San Antonio Spurs NBA Pre-season basketball game at the Colonial Center.

“We’re excited about the success of the Healthy Hoops Program in the Midlands,’’ said Kathy Stone, Associate Vice President of Public Affairs for Select Health of South Carolina. “The program aims to improve the quality of life of children with asthma, based on the feedback we’ve gotten from families who are already involved, I’d say we’re well on our way to reaching our goal.”

Spaces are still available for asthmatic children (age 7-15) to participate in the Fall Challenge. However, children must receive a health screening first. Anyone interested in registering should call 1.800.741.6605 ext. 4813.

About Select Health of South Carolina
Select Health of South Carolina has been serving families in South Carolina for nearly a decade. As the state’s largest provider of Medicaid medical homes, the Select Health insurance plan, First Choice, serves more than 57,000 members in 29 South Carolina counties. Select Health is a wholly owned subsidiary of AmeriHealth Mercy Health Plan. To learn more about Select Health, logon to www.selecthealthofsc.com.

 About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of over $21.4 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, oncology and neuroscience products.  In the United States, AstraZeneca is a $9.6 billion healthcare business with more than 12,000 employees.  AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index. For more information about AstraZeneca, please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com.

About Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers, Inc.
The Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers, Inc. is a federally qualified, community-based comprehensive medical safety net that provides access to primary healthcare services for traditionally underserved populations.

The mission of the Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers, Inc. (ECCHC) is to provide comprehensive, high quality compassionate medical care in the spirit of the Good Samaritan.  For more information about the Cooperative, visit www.ecchc.org.

About the Healthy Hoops Coalition
The Healthy Hoops Coalition is a partnership between private sector and non-profit organizations. Serving as a steering committee for the Healthy Hoops Program, the coalition is made up of volunteers from DHEC, Family Connection of South Carolina, SC Asthma Alliance, American Lung Association, IMARA Woman magazine, Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands, SC Association of School Administrators, and Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers.