The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation for Community & Health Advancement has delivered $1 million to 28 organizations addressing Arizona’s most pressing health challenges.  

Funding will help organizations focus on four key areas: mental health, substance use disorder, chronic health conditions and health equity, according to a release.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona is among the organizations that received funding.  

“This support will help Make-A-Wish Arizona’s medical outreach efforts, especially in rural and underserved communities, ensuring that every eligible child is referred for a wish," Fran Mallace, Make-A-Wish Arizona president and CEO, said.

"Thanks to the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona foundation, we can continue to create these transformative experiences for every Wish Kid in Arizona.” 

Recipients of the foundation’s latest Impact Grant Cycle include:  

• Arizona Food Bank Network
• Be A Leader Foundation
• Chiricahua Community Health Centers
• Creek Valley Health Clinic
• Creighton University
• Education Forward Arizona
• Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona
• GiGi’s Playhouse
• Helping Hands for Single Moms
• Homeless Youth Connection
• Hope Community Services
• Hushabye Nursery
• Kyah Rayne Foundation
• Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona
• Mission of Mercy 
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society
• New Pathways for Youth
• Oakwood Creative Care
• Peer Solutions
• Phoenix Public Library Foundation
• Power Paws Assistance Dogs
• Ryan House
• The Arizona Pet Project
• The Foster Alliance
• The Joy Bus
• UMOM New Day Centers
• Yuma County Education Service Agency
• Yuma Regional Medical Center

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.