Aetna Supports the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp With $50,000 Grant

HARTFORD, Conn., August 04, 2009 — Aetna (NYSE: AET) today announced a $50,000 grant in support of Team Hole in the Wall, a program of the Ashford, Connecticut-based Hole in the Wall Gang Camp founded in 1988 by Paul Newman. The funding will be used to support the health and human resource needs of children coping with cancer or other serious illnesses and conditions served by the organization’s year-round programs and outreach.  

The grant builds capacity of the five Hole in the Wall Camps in America, as well as engages their communities through charity bike rides developed by Team Hole in the Wall. The rides are modeled after the successful AngelRide, a Connecticut-based event that raises funds and awareness of the Camp’s mission.

“Thanks to the visionary leadership of Aetna, more children and families coping with the isolating effects of serious illness can experience the healing impact of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp,” said James Canton, Chief Executive Officer of The Connecticut camp. “Through Team Hole in the Wall and the creation of these regional cycling events, thousands of health-minded biking participants will make a difference in the lives of children with serious illness in their communities.”

As part of the initiative, Aetna’s Employee Volunteer Councils will help to develop and manage regional Team Hole in the Wall Camp Challenge Rides that support Hole in the Wall Camps. The first Challenge Ride will take place on September 27, 2009 in Connecticut, followed by Challenge Rides in 2010 in California, New York, Florida, and North Carolina. For more information about The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, or to support the September 27 Connecticut Camp Challenge Ride, please visit www.teamholeinthewall.org/campchallengeride 

“Aetna is proud to support the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp,” said Floyd Green, head of Community Relations for Aetna. “This relationship will help bring additional resources to children in need and increase our own employee volunteer efforts for those who are committed to giving back to their local communities.”

About The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Connecticut is a nonprofit, residential summer camp and year-round center serving children and their families coping with cancer and other serious illnesses and conditions. Through its Camp programs, year-round outreach to hospitals and clinics, and ongoing services for children, families and caregivers, the Camp serves more than 15,000 annually. All of its services are provided free of charge.  Fore more information, see www.holeinthewallgang.org. 

About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.8 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates.  For more information, see www.aetna.com.