Press Releases for 2012

For Immediate Release

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Awards $85,000 Grant to the YMCA of Greater Dayton

The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation awarded a $85,000 Grant to the YMCA of Greater Dayton to support the implementation of youth fitness and nutrition programs.

“We are thrilled to have received this funding to support innovative programs for youth. Keeping children healthy and active is a mission of the YMCA and we will be able to reach Dayton-area children that might not have otherwise had an opportunity to participate,” stated Tim Helm, President/CEO of the YMCA of Greater Dayton.

In the last few decades, childhood obesity rates have soared. Nationally, one in three children is obese or overweight, which puts children at risk for chronic diseases often seen in adults, such as high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes. This health crisis sheds light on the need to provide children and their parents or guardians with the resources and the support they need to live healthier.

About the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation
Through charitable grant making, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, promotes Anthem’s inherent commitment to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield serves. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s annual associate giving campaign and its parent foundation provides a 50 percent match of associates’ campaign pledges. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The YMCA of Greater Dayton was established in 1870 and now offers twelve locations throughout the Miami Valley.

For Immediate Release

ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS BENEFIT IN SEVERAL WAYS FROM
FREE SILVERSNEAKERS PROGRAM

Springboro – 11/07/12 – You’re never too old to exercise! Whether you are just starting out or have been on the road to health for a long while, physical activity is likely to help keep you feeling young versus living a sedentary life. Activities that help build muscle strength, improve balance, and promote walking significantly reduce falls and injuries in older people. Whether you enjoy walking on the treadmill, riding the stationary bike or taking group exercise classes like those available through the Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness Program, it’s important to keep moving.

The SilverSneakers Fitness Program has been proven to reduce health care costs by improving the health and well-being of members, helping them become active, and motivating them to stay that way. With the SilverSneakers premier network, members have access to all YMCA branches within the YMCA of Greater Dayton, including the Coffman YMCA. The Coffman YMCA offers the signature SilverSneakers Muscular Strength and Range of Movement plus additional signature classes such as SilverSneakers Cardio Circuit and SilverSplash.

Being a part of the SilverSneakers Fitness Program, each member is entitled to a basic membership here at the Coffman YMCA at NO ADDITIONAL COST to Medicare-eligible members.  This includes the SilverSneakers classes, any of the other eighty or more group exercise classes, social activities such as monthly luncheons, outings, Pickleball, CornHole, and Bingo. If you are interested in starting a new fitness routine we have certified Wellness Coaches available at your convenience to help you achieve your fitness goals.

If you have any questions about the SilverSneakers Fitness Program and/or any other program at the Coffman Y, please feel free to contact Darlene Reid, Sr. Health and Wellness Director at 886-2845 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The Coffman Y is located at 88 Remick Blvd. in Springboro.
        
About the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The YMCA of Greater Dayton was established in 1870 and now offers twelve locations throughout the Miami Valley. www.ymcaonline.org

For Immediate Release

‘Join The Y Today’ Campaign Launches January 1st

Dayton – 11/30/12 – The YMCA of Greater Dayton is taking a new approach to our membership drive this year! “JoinTheYToday.com” will be a fresh, new membership website, ready to answer some of your most asked questions about Y membership. Along with the website, your joining fee is matched to your join date – the earlier you join, the less you pay!

Your YMCA membership allows you access to all eleven branches within the YMCA of Greater Dayton. From Huber Heights to Eaton, Springboro to Xenia and everywhere in between, we are just close and convenient to you. Just a few highlights of membership include:

• Fully trained and caring staff who are always ready to assist you in achieving your health and fitness goals
• Clean, well-maintained facilities
• State-of-the-art health and wellness equipment
• Free fitness classes
• Free nursery services
• Volunteer opportunities
• Discounts on programs
• Programs committed to developing character

All our YMCA memberships are income based to make it affordable for everyone. What are you waiting for? Come on down and ‘Try The Y Today!’ We can’t wait for you to join our Y Family.

About the Y

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The YMCA of Greater Dayton was established in 1870 and now offers twelve locations throughout the Miami Valley. www.ymcaonline.org

For Immediate Release

Change Today for A Healthier Future with Diabetes Prevention

Dayton, 11/01/12 - November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and the YMCA of Greater Dayton is helping residents of the Miami Valley cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes through the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, an innovative program that teaches people to make lifestyle changes that lead to greater health. Programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program that help people lose 5-7 percent of body weight through healthier eating and increased physical activity can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Pat, a participant in the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program through the YMCA of Greater Dayton had this to say about her experience:  Before the program, I wasn’t even aware diabetes was something you could prevent. I had never even considered it because a lot of people in my family have it. People aren’t aware there is anything they can do about it. The program was very beneficial in terms of what I learned. I realized how much fat is in different foods and over time eating too much of it increases your risk.  That was a big eye opener. The biggest surprise for me is how easy it is to make a different choice once you become aware. The program is really very worthwhile. I think it’s really important to think about if you actually developed the disease how much time, money and energy would be put into managing it.  I think of it as an investment, and it will last the rest of your life.

Prediabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. An estimated one in three adults in the U.S. (79 million people) has prediabetes, yet just 7 percent of those individuals know they have it. People with prediabetes are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases such as heart disease and stroke. In Montgomery County, 10.9% of adults have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and 30.9% of adults are obese.  These percentages are both higher than the averages for the state of Ohio.  In addition, 24.6% of adults in Montgomery County are physically inactive.

The YMCA of Greater Dayton is one of 74 Ys nationwide participating in the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, a lifestyle modification program that helps people reduce their risk for type 2 diabetes by helping them learn about eating healthier, increasing physical activity and other behavior changes.  The program is is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Diabetes Prevention Program, and based on the National Institutes of Health led, CDC supported, Diabetes Prevention Program study that showed losing a moderate amount of weight and increasing physical activity reduces the number of cases of type 2 diabetes by 58 percent.  

“Through the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, we are helping people in the Miami Valley make lifestyle changes that can help avoid developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases,” said Tim Helm, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater Dayton. “The Y is a leading nonprofit dedicated to improving the nation’s health and well-being, and the prevention of type 2 diabetes not only benefits the individual, but our community at large.”

Individuals who particpate in the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program take part in a year-long program beginning with 16 one-hour classroom sessions with  a trained lifestyle coach who helps them learn about healthy eating, physical activity and other lifestyle changes. Following these sessions, participants meet monthly for added support in reaching their ultimate goals of reducing body weight by 5-7 percent and participating in 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Through lifestyle changes and modest weight reduction, a person with prediabetes can reduce their risk for type 2 diabetes.

In the Miami Valley, more than 270 participants have taken advantage of the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program offered by the YMCA of Greater Dayton. To learn more about the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, please contact Abby Helsinger at 937-223-5201 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is supported nationally by the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is available at 74 Ys in 31 states. Visit http://ymca.net/diabetes-prevention for more information.

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About the Y

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The YMCA of Greater Dayton was established in 1870 and now offers twelve locations throughout the Miami Valley. www.ymcaonline.org