Delta Dental of Washington is participating again this year in the American Cancer Society’s Fit2Be Cancer Free campaign to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, prevention, and treatment. The campaign pairs fitness with awareness by asking participants to track their steps from April 18 to May 9. As an organization, Delta Dental of Washington is participating by donating $.20 for each mile tracked by our employees and matching up to $2,500 in employee donations.
It is part of our core mission as the nation’s largest not-for-profit dental benefits company to support programs and community partners committed to enhancing the quality and accessibility of healthcare across the state and the country. While we are focused on providing oral health benefits, we are driven by the understanding that oral health is one component of a person’s overall health.
"Participating in the Fit2BeCancerFree Challenge and serving on the PNW CEO’s Against Cancer Chapter is at the heart of our mission,” says Delta Dental of Washington CEO, Mark Mitchke. “Good oral health, and early detection of oral cancer, starts with ensuring that all Washingtonians can access oral healthcare. Our partnership with the American Cancer Society, and funds donated by employees during the challenge, helps reduce barriers and increase access to cancer care for all. I am proud to be a part of this network of organizations and of our employees for all they do to support this Challenge and the ACS."
For us, this commitment to a holistic approach to healthcare access is personal. Difficult health concerns can affect anyone, even our own employees, so we take our responsibility seriously to build impactful healthcare partnerships and find lasting solutions for both our members and for our loved ones. Janee Endicott, is our Provider Credentials/Network Systems Administrator and she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2013. Triple negative breast cancer is a highly aggressive form of breast cancer with a 50/50 survival rate. Her life was turned upside down.
"Through my journey, I saw that cancer not only affected me, it also impacted my family, friends, and coworkers,” she said. “"My family and friends became caregivers, taking me from one appointment to another, friends and coworkers were there to support and lift me up through it all and celebrate the little milestones through my cancer journey."
Through her community's support, Janee stayed focused on healing and maintained a sense of hope, purpose, and love.
"I am so thankful for organizations like the American Cancer Society because they offer support on so many levels,” she said. “From the person diagnosed with cancer, to support for friends and family, and even cancer research."
It is also why we at Delta Dental of Washington are honored to partner with the ACS as we build toward more impactful research, supports, and solutions to everyone’s healthcare needs, with no one left behind. The Fit2Be Cancer Free campaign runs through May 9, and will conclude with a company walk at Lumen Field where our CEO Mark Mitchke will join other members of our senior management team to celebrate.
