| United Way Helps Save More than $55,000 Locally |
Partnership with FamilyWize Saves Thousands in Local Prescription Drug CostsUTICA, NY (February 15, 2012)- United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area and its partner FamilyWize have helped save more than $55,000 in prescription drug costs for members of our local community. Nearly $35,000 was saved in 2011 alone. Our local United Way has participated in distributing FamilyWize prescription drug discount cards since the program’s inception in 2005. The goal of the FamilyWize Community Service Partnership is to reduce the cost of medicine for children, families and individuals by $1 billion by the end of 2015. The annual report recently released by the company states that community members in the valley and greater Utica area have taken advantage of the discounts saving tens of thousands of dollars locally. “Health is a major priority for our United Way,” Executive Director, Brenda Episcopo said. “This is just one way we partner with local, regional, and national organizations to bring new opportunities to our community. Every bit helps, because it all adds up to a better and brighter future for our community. We want people to know that anyone can use it! There are no age, income or residency restrictions.” >The cards are provided free of charge to organizations and the people who use them. All funding for the FamilyWize program is provided through a dispensing fee that is included in the cost of medicines when a FamilyWize card is used, by in-kind donations, and through reduced costs from the program sponsors. To learn more about FamilyWize visit www.familywize.org or contact United Way at (315) 733-4691. About FamilyWize The FamilyWize Community Service Partnership was established in 2005 by Dan and Susan Barnes to reduce the cost of prescriptions for people who live and work in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. A local United Way later coordinated distribution of these cards. United Ways in other communities quickly heard about the program and began distributing then throughout their communities. More than 1,000 participating United Ways, America’s Promise Alliance Partners, and individual counties in all 50 states have volunteered to coordinate these distribution efforts. About United Way United Way of the Valley & the Greater Utica Area is a local, independent non-profit organization funding area programs and services, providing a safety net for our community and addressing crucial community issues in the impact areas of health, education, and income. For more information about United Way, or to donate to the annual campaign, visit www.unitedwaygu.org or call (315) 733-4691. ### |