Stand-up amputee basketball players to show children of Capital BlueCross employees anything is possible

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Living healthy while having fun is a key message professional athletes will share with more than 120 children, whose parents work at Capital BlueCross, during a special "Health and Wellness University" program from 8:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, at the company's headquarters in Harrisburg. Highlighting the day will be a demonstration from members of AMP1, the country's only stand-up amputee basketball team.

Capital BlueCross began hosting Health and Wellness University a few years ago in lieu of the annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, which is traditionally held in the spring. The event format and summer timeframe has proven extremely popular with employees because it avoids school conflicts.

"Our kids really look forward to this event," said Ben Faesel, a Capital BlueCross employee whose four children attend each year. "It's been fun to watch my daughters -- who are older -- evolve from being young participants to now helping with activities for the younger children, and to see my sons interacting with their peers. My kids have all learned healthy living habits through the program and made great friends." 

With the help of high-tech prosthetics, AMP1 team members have overcome lower-limb amputations caused by traumatic accidents, birth defects and cancer to go on and play able-bodied, non-amputee sports. Scott Odom of AMP1, a cancer survivor who lost his right leg above the knee, will do a demonstration, share a message and sign copies of his book Stand Up: I Lost My Leg To Cancer Not My Dream.

Athletes from the Harrisburg Stampede, Harrisburg City Islanders, and Harrisburg Senators, along with personal trainer Ryan Matter and self-defense specialists Fighting Dragons, will run clinics to encourage kids to get active from 8:50-11 a.m. Local wildlife expert Jack Hubley will present "Creatures Beyond Your Back Door," for all attendees from 11 a.m. to noon.

Other fun, age-appropriate activities will include fire safety, arts and crafts, and a nutrition demonstration.

About Capital BlueCross
For more than 75 years, Capital BlueCross has been serving central Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley residents and businesses as the region's leading health insurer. Through its family of companies, Capital BlueCross brings innovative services and clinical solutions to the marketplace. Committed to delivering medical value to its communities, Capital BlueCross focuses on improving patient satisfaction, enhancing quality of care and reducing costs. The company continues to lead the change in the industry, most recently by entering the retail market and introducing a first-of-its-kind health and wellness store called Capital Blue. Headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa., Capital BlueCross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, employing more than 1,800 people. More information about Capital BlueCross can be found at capbluecross.com.

Editor's Note: To learn more about AMP1 and author Scott Odom, view this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSjOn1jO6KE.

SOURCE Capital BlueCross

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED