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Baltimore, Maryland (August 23, 2010) — CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) recently welcomed home the DC Special Olympics Team after a victorious trip to the National Summer Games, in Lincoln, Nebraska, with a congratulatory luncheon at CareFirst’s Union Center Plaza boardroom. Wearing the medals they had recently won, the athletes shared their experiences with CareFirst employees and were presented with a donation to help further their accomplishments.

“These athletes are amazing people, and it was a privilege for us to listen to their stories from the National Games,” said Maria Harris Tildon, CareFirst’s Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Community Affairs.

Team DC is comprised of five athletes with disabilities and two unified partners, volunteers without special needs that play along side their Special Olympic teammates. The bond formed among the athletes and their partners is unique and rewarding. Team DC earned medals in Bocce and Track and Field events. This year’s National Games hosted more than 3,000 athletes and 30,000 family, friends, and fans. The athletes were accompanied by 1,000 coaches and 8,500 volunteers. The Special Olympics generated $40 million in economic impact for the Lincoln, Nebraska, community, and $5 million in tax revenue. The idea for Special Olympics began in 1962 as a day camp for children with learning disabilities. Today more than 1 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities benefit from Special Olympics programs worldwide. The driving force behind the Special Olympic movement was Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Under her leadership, thousands of people with learning disabilities have been provided the opportunity to compete and build lifelong relationships for the past 42 years.

Today, there are more than 2,000 Special Olympics athletes in the District of Columbia. According to Special Olympics DC, there are another 15,000 people in the nation's capital with intellectual disabilities who could benefit from Special Olympics programs.

Learn more about Team DC.

Learn about volunteer opportunities with the DC Special Olympics Team.

Learn more about the National Games.

In its 73rd year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to nearly 3.4 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. Through its CareFirst Commitment initiative and other public mission activities, CareFirst supports efforts to increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit our website.

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