BCBC Building Illuminates For Parkinson's Awareness

DETROIT, MI — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will illuminate its downtown headquarters on Monday, April 8 with a red tulip to highlight the company’s support of those impacted by Parkinson’s disease.

In Michigan alone, there are more than 25,000 people living with Parkinson’s Disease and it is particularly a meaningful cause for BCBS’s president and CEO, who lost his father from Parkinson’s complications.

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that typically presents as rigidity, slowness of movement and tremors. About one million people in the U.S. have Parkinson’s disease and while there’s no known cure, many people affected respond well to dopamine-replenishing drugs.

Through a year-long, enterprise-wide partnership, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation and the Kirk Gibson Foundation are raising awareness and providing information, resources and support to those impacted.

The “Everybody vs. Parkinson’s” gala, taking place Saturday, Oct. 19, is aimed at raising funds and awareness for the disease. Those interested in purchasing tickets can visit eventbrite.com and search, “Everybody vs. Parkinson’s.”

Daniel J. Loepp, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan, and his wife Amy, will serve as executive chairs of the event. Loepp’s father, Robert, died from Parkinson’s-related complications making the cause an important effort to him personally.

For more than 30 years, Blue Cross has developed a proud tradition of spotlighting important causes and special events with light displays, such as Autism awareness and other occasions.

The enterprise made Parkinson’s its focus charity for 2019, alongside the Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation and the Kirk Gibson Foundation. Ongoing support will include public awareness initiatives, sponsorships and employee fundraising efforts throughout the year, BCBS representatives say.

For more information, visit mibluesperspectives.com.