‘Civil War Challenge’ promotes healthy living
When the second annual PacificSource Healthy Life Civil War Challenge kicks off on October 23, Ducks and Beavers statewide will be united in a friendly competition to encourage, achieve, and take an active role in healthy living.
By pledging to take part in the PacificSource Healthy Life Civil War Challenge, which runsOct. 23 through Nov. 21, participants will be taking steps toward making themselves and their community healthier, while raising funds for area non-profits in the process.
As a presenting sponsor of the Civil War Series through 2015, PacificSource is asking Duck and Beaver fans to pledge to go healthy for 30 days in one of the four categories: healthy eating, tobacco cessation, stress reduction, or physical activity. Participants can also sign up for the 5-2-1-0 in 30 Challenge, developed by medical experts from Marion Polk County Medical Society, which encourages them to make a daily commitment to consuming five servings of fruits and vegetables, limit theirscreen (television) time to two hours, engage in one hour of physical activity, and consume zero sugar sweetened beverages.
From October 23 through November 21, Duck and Beaver fans can visit healthylifechallenge.org to take the PacificSource Healthy Life Civil War pledge, sign up for the 5-2-1-0 in 30 Challenge and commit to living a healthier lifestyle.
For every pledge received, PacificSource Healthy Life will donate one dollar, up to $10,000, across four nonprofit organizations that provide prevention and wellness programs in Benton and Lane Counties and the surrounding area, including Mid Willamette Family YMCA, Eugene Family YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of Emerald Valley, and Linn Benton Food Share. The Challenge is open to all Oregonians, regardless of their collegiate affiliation, who are interested in making wellness part of their daily life and supporting a good cause in the process.
PacificSource has long been committed to improving the health of its members and the communities it serves. The Healthy Life initiative is part of PacificSource’s commitment as a community-based health plan to lead, advocate, and collaborate to help build healthier communities by providing a means of support to positively impact health behavior change.
“This Civil War Challenge is a great way for all of us to commit to go healthy for 30 days. It’s a small step to make towards improving the health of our entire community,” said Alexa Shook, Director of PacificSource Healthy Life. “The 5-2-1-0 in 30 Challenge fits in perfectly with the PacificSource Healthy Life initiative to make small, simple health changes to your life that will hopefully lead to long term behavior change.”
Jeanine Stice, RD, MPH and co-developer of the 5-2-1-0 in 30 Challenge, believes the simplicity of theprogram can lead to lasting lifestyle changes that can impact a person’s health for years to come. “The four health behaviors in the 5210 in 30 Challenge are proven to help prevent chronic disease. In addition, many participants in Marion County, where the thirty day Challenge originated, have experienced weight loss,” she said.
PacificSource Healthy Life has committed $4 million in funding to the University of Oregon and Oregon State University toward wellness research, healthy campus initiatives, and a Civil War Series sponsorship as a platform to engage the public in health improvement initiatives.
To learn more about PacificSource Healthy Life and take the Healthy Life Civil War pledge October 23—November 21, visit www.healthylifechallenge.org.
About PacificSource:
PacificSource Health Plans is an independent, not-for-profit community health plan serving the Northwest. Founded in 1933, PacificSource is based in Eugene, Oregon, with local offices throughout Oregon and in Idaho and Montana. The PacificSource family of companies employs 600 people, serves more than 275,000 individuals, and has6,200 employer clients throughout the Northwest. PacificSource Community Solutions, Inc. is a subsidiary of PacificSource Health Plans and provides Medicaid coverage in Oregon through the Oregon Health Plan. For more information visit www.pacificsource.com.
