LOS ANGELES and THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Familia Unida and Blue Cross of California (Blue Cross) are teaming up to host the Third Annual Wheelchair Wash timed to commemorate the upcoming 16th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Familia Unida Office, located at 4716 East Cesar Chavez Avenue in Los Angeles, CA. The festivity will also feature the unveiling of Familia Unida's new mascot, Rosie the Roadster.
The celebration will kick-off with hundreds of people in wheelchairs and community volunteers armed with soap and water offering free cleaning and washing of manual or electric wheelchairs and power scooters for members of the disabled community throughout Los Angeles County; in addition participants will also be pampered by beauty experts who will be on hand to give free haircuts, manicures and makeovers.
Familia Unida will also be unveiling their new mascot Rosie the Roadster who came to life through their collaboration with Blue Cross. Michelle Vickers, Blue Cross employee, submitted the winning name from hundreds of nominations that were entered and voted on by a panel of Familia Unida and Blue Cross executives.
"I am pleased that 'Rosie the Roadster' was chosen," said Irma Resendez, president and founder of Familia Unida Living with MS. "Rosie was chosen in memory of 'Rosie the Riveter,' who symbolizes equality for all, social justice and reminds us that -- you can do it."
For the third year, Blue Cross has teamed with Familia Unida to conduct outreach to the community about wellness and health care and to support the members of Familia Unida and their families with new programs such as Agent to Work. "Blue Cross is honored to be part of this prestigious event and appreciates the inspiring work of Familia Unida," said Leonor McCall- Rodriguez, vice president, Emerging Markets for Blue Cross. "Our collaboration with Familia Unida reflects our ongoing commitment to empower and educate families who represent the diverse faces that make up California. The success of the program is a testament to Irma's efforts to go the distance to provide needed multicultural services to people with disabilities," added McCall-Rodriguez.
Timed with the 16th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Familia Unida's Wheelchair Wash recognizes the important milestone the ADA has made. The ADA is the single most important piece of legislation prohibiting private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities.
In addition to the festivities of the day, the Wheelchair Wash will feature special guests and feature activities such as:
* Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (scheduled to arrive at 10 a.m.)
* A photo with mascot "Rosie the Roadster" (all day)
* A member profile (somebody whose life improved because ADA)
We appreciate the presenting sponsor Creatable Inflatables; event sponsors will provide volunteer support, goodies and important health and community resources. Advance registration is recommended to ensure participation. To register, call Familia Unida at (323) 261-5565 by July 25, 2006.
This event is also supported in part by AARP, AltaMed Health Services, Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo, Chivas USA, Comedian Shayla Rivera, CVS/pharmacy, Dos Hermanos Restaurant, El Clasificado, El Gallo Giro, Health Net, KMEX-TV Univision 34, L.A. Care Health Plan, La Opinion, Metro, Montebello Beauty College, Public Relations Society of America, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, The California Endowment, The Walt Disney Company, Union Bank of California and Univision Radio, entertainer Rebekah del Rio and much more.
About Familia Unida:
Founded in 1998 by Irma Resendez (after her own diagnosis of MS which left her paralyzed for almost a year), Familia Unida Living with Multiple Sclerosis is the first bilingual English-Spanish multiple sclerosis non profit organization in the United States serving thousands of individuals and families affected by multiple sclerosis and other debilitating diseases in the greater Los Angeles area. There are over 500,000 people living with multiple sclerosis in the United States and over 200 individuals newly diagnosed every week. This census does not include the many that are misdiagnosed or not counted due to language and cultural barriers. Today, there is no cure.
About Blue Cross of California:
Blue Cross of California is a subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc. . WellPoint's mission is to improve the lives of the people it serves and the health of its communities. WellPoint, Inc. is the largest publicly traded commercial health benefits company in terms of membership in the United States. WellPoint, Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan counties and as Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through UniCare. Additional information about WellPoint is available at http://www.wellpoint.com/ .
