Aetna And The Aetna Foundation Recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month With CUREchiefs Promotion

HARTFORD, Conn., September 30, 2009 — In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Aetna (NYSE: AET) and the Aetna Foundation today announced a unique offering at www.aetna.com – the chance to send a handmade CUREchief® head scarf to a loved one who is being treated for a medical condition, such as breast cancer, that results in hair loss. Aetna is working with the CUREchief Foundation® Inc. to make up to 5,000 CUREchiefs available for delivery nationwide to people of all ages. Visit http://www.aetna.com/about-aetna-insurance/sas/cure-chief.html to learn more or to send a CUREchief to an organization, friend or family member.

"Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have long supported organizations that help to improve the health and well-being of individuals and their communities, and we've also worked hard to support organizations where Aetna employees volunteer their time," said Anne C. Beal, M.D., M.P.H., president of the Aetna Foundation. "Many Aetna employees around the country work with the CUREchief Foundation to sew the head scarves, write messages of hope to recipients and package them for shipping. Now, Aetna is proud to further its support for this organization by funding the distribution of thousands of CUREchiefs during the month of October."  

A CUREchief is a handmade head scarf, available in a wide variety of patterns and colors, that is delivered free of charge to cancer patients as well as those with alopecia and other conditions that may cause hair loss. The CUREchief Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing warmth and comfort to cancer patients, survivors, their families and friends. To learn more about the CUREchief Foundation visit: http://www.curechief.com/.

"Our organization began with the simple hope that a little triangle of fabric, that we have named the CUREchief, would bring hope and love to cancer patients. These CUREchiefs serve as a constant reminder that those who are suffering from an illness are in the thoughts of others who care, and that they are not alone," said Sandy Centorino, founder of The CUREchief Foundation. "We are so grateful for Aetna's continued support of our work and look forward to celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by distributing even more CUREchiefs to people who need them."

Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have supported The CUREchief Foundation through a series of grants totaling $71,000 since 2005 and through the efforts of the Aetna Volunteer Councils nationwide. In Hartford, for example, Aetna employees team up once a month to work with the organization sewing the CUREchiefs and preparing packages for mailing. To see an Aetna volunteer in action visit: http://www.aetna.com/foundation/about/2007video5.html.

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. About every three minutes, a woman somewhere in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2008, an estimated 182,460 new cases were diagnosed in American women and about 1,990 cases were detected in men. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women; lung cancer is number one. In 2008, approximately 40,480 women and 450 men will die of the disease.

The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month organization, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, is a partnership of national public service organizations, professional medical associations and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease and provide greater access to screening services. The organization seeks to empower women to take charge of their own breast health by practicing regular breast self- exams, scheduling regular visits and annual mammograms with their health care provider, adhering to prescribed treatment plans and knowing the facts about recurrence.

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.

About the Aetna Foundation
The Aetna Foundation is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. Founded in 1972, the Foundation seeks to help build healthy communities by funding initiatives that improve the quality of life where our employees and customers work and live. The Foundation's giving is focused on health, diversity and employee community involvement, with broader programs in our home state of Connecticut. Since 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed over $359 million in grants and sponsorships. Additional information about the Aetna Foundation is available at www.aetna.com/foundation.