Royals to Recognize Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City Employee

Kansas City, MO April 11, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Susan M. Johnson
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City
Phone: 816-395-3566
susan.johnson@BlueKC.com

Royals to Recognize Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City Employee

Kansas City, MO (April 11, 2012) – Longtime Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City employee, Bob Cantin, will be recognized for his community involvement at the April 17 Royals versus Detroit Tigers baseball game. Cantin will take his place in the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat and will be part of the pre-game ceremonies. According to the nomination form, this contest is a way to honor O'Neil by filling "Buck's Seat" for every home game with a member of the community who, on a large or small scale, embodies an aspect of Buck's spirit. O'Neil devoted many hours supporting the Royals from the same seat behind home plate.

Cantin was selected for his inspirational story. In 2005, Cantin became ill and ended up having both legs amputated below the knees. Cantin explained it as the bleakest time in his life but that this was when he experienced the best of other people. Family, friends, coworkers, and his employer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, extended so much support and encouragement, he was amazed. Two months after surgery, Cantin received his prosthetic legs and started to get his life back.

Within a year, the mayor of Olathe appointed Cantin to the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board for the city of Olathe. In this role, Cantin helps connect people with disabilities with agencies and charitable organizations as well as provide educational forums and disability awareness events. He is also the vice president and a founding member of Downtown Olathe Arts Festival that sponsors artists with disabilities. And a year and a half ago, the governors' office appointed Cantin to the Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns that tracks and provides input on legislation impacting people with disabilities, provides disability-related information to people with disabilitiesand helps them live as equal citizens in Kansas' communities.

In the words of his anonymous nominator, Cantin did not let this setback deter him from living a normal life and he is an inspiration to everyone.

"Everything I've been able to do was because people helped me," said Cantin. "I had to pay it forward. It boils down to people helping other people pick themselves up. That's why I do what I do.

"And I have to brag about how wonderful and amazing Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City was during my recovery. From the top on down, everyone worked to integrate me back into the work life. All the support I received made me want to give back."

Giving back is a high priority for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Getting involved in the communities it serves is part of the company's commitment.

"Part of our mission is to improve the health of our members," said Alice Ellison, Vice President, Community Relations, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. "We fulfill this mission through charitable contributions and other financial means, but equally as important, we encourage and support our employees to volunteer. We happen to think our employees are some of the most generous and giving, be it their time or money, in the Kansas City community."

For more information about the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board: http://www.olatheks.org

For more information about the Downtown Olathe Arts Festival: http://www.downtownolatheartsfestival.org

For more information about the Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns: http://www.kcdcinfo.com

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, the largest not-for-profit health insurer in the state and the only not-for-profit health insurer in Kansas City, has been part of the Kansas City community since 1938. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City provides health coverage services to nearly one million residents in the greater Kansas City area and Northwest Missouri. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information on our company, visit our website at www.BlueKC.com. Our mission statement: We will use our role as the area's leading health insurer to provide affordable access to healthcare and to improve the health and wellness of our members.

• Back to News Archives