Columbia, Greenville, Charleston Walkers Cover 3,000 Miles During Lunch

COLUMBIA, GREENVILLE, CHARLESTON, SC – April 30, 2009 – How long would it take to walk across the United States?

Those who took part in BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina’s community events marking National Walk @ Lunch Day(R) Wednesday covered roughly that distance during their lunch breaks.

An estimated 3,000 people turned out for lunchtime community walks at the Statehouse in Columbia, Marion Square in Charleston, and Falls Park in Greenville, and together walked approximately 3,660 miles. The distance from Charleston, S.C., to Seattle, Wash., is about 2,960 miles.

BlueCross’ community events were part of the third annual National Walk @ Lunch Day, which was created by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association to encourage Americans to live healthier lives by incorporating lunchtime walks into their daily routines. Research shows that just 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least five days per week can have significant health benefits.

National Walk at Lunch Day gets bigger and better every year in South Carolina, said David Pankau, president of S.C. BlueCross’ BlueCross BlueShield Division. In addition to all of those who participated in our three community events, dozens of companies around our state held walks on Wednesday for their own employees.

Lunchtime walks are a great way for American workers to fit exercise into their busy schedules. We are proud to join other Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies across the nation in supporting National Walk @ Lunch Day and other programs that encourage regular exercise and healthier lifestyles.

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and its family of companies include more than 20 subsidiaries involved in health insurance services, U.S. DOD health plan and Medicare contracts, and other insurance and employee benefits services.

For more information, go to:  http://www.southcarolinablues.com/