BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA SEEKS OUTSTANDING ARIZONA SENIORS FOR AGELESS HEROES AWARD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 15, 2004 CONTACT: Bobra Crockett Doiron (480) 503-0707 BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA SEEKS OUTSTANDING ARIZONA SENIORS FOR AGELESS HEROES AWARD Phoenix, Ariz. - Webster’s dictionary defines a hero as “a person endowed with great courage and strength -- celebrated for his or her bold exploits; a person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose; or, a person noted for special achievement in a particular field.” Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) is searching for Arizona seniors who meet those characteristics and more, for its seventh annual Ageless Heroes Program. Nominations are due Oct. 8 and the event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11 in Phoenix. “November 11th is Veterans Day, and who more should we honor but our seniors who are veterans of both public service and life – rich in experience, wisdom and courage,” said Rich Boals, president and CEO of BCBSAZ. All Arizona residents, age 65 and older, are eligible to be nominated as an Ageless Hero. Categories for the awards include:  Against the Odds: Able to overcome all obstacles, whether a disability, illness or hardship, and uses this experience to inspire others.  Champion for Health: Works to improve the health of others through advocacy, outreach and education efforts.  Community Involvement: Shows strength in commitment to a community and its individuals.  Creative Expressions: Demonstrates unique expressions of artistic talent. -MORE- AGELESS HEROES AWARD ADD 1-1-1  Love of Learning: Pursues or shares knowledge gained through study or experience.  Vigor and Vitality: Able to perform agile feats – both mental and physical. About BCBSAZ BCBSAZ, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is the only major not-for-profit and local health insurance company in Arizona. Founded in 1939, BCBSAZ touches the lives of more than 1.6 million Arizonans by providing health insurance products, networks or services to more than 980,000* customers and by processing claims for more than 700,000** Arizonans enrolled in Medicare as a Medicare Part A fiscal intermediary. *Number valid as of June 30, 2004. **Number of Arizonans enrolled in Medicare Part A according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as of July 2002. Phone: (602) 864-2240 in the Phoenix area (800) 528-0716, ext. 2240 outside of the Phoenix area E-mail: ageless@phx1.bcbsaz.com Online: www.azblue.com ### 2003 Ageless Heroes Award Winners Against the Odds Patricia Smith, 72, Peoria Patricia Smith has turned the loss of her vision to macular degeneration at 69 years of age into an inspirational story. Instead of letting the disease interfere with her passion for helping children and veterans, she switched gears and learned to read and write in Braille, learned a computer system that has allowed her to work part time as a chaplain for the American Legion and has started a new relationship with her guide dog, Casey. As a seasoned public speaker, Patricia educates audiences on disability awareness and even speaks to legislative committees on topics regarding the blind. She has also organized a group of retired veterans and women to perform in a Bob Hope-style USO show for the last five years, raising more than $25,000 for memorials to Arizona veterans of WWII. Champion for Health Monty Brown, 72, Tucson Monty Brown is a retired healthcare professional and editor who lends his expertise in both fields to the community by tackling education and health-related public policy issues, as well as leading community improvement efforts. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, Monty helped with efforts to enhance homeland security. He volunteered full time as an AmeriCorps member and helped develop the Medical Reserve Corps, which uses the services of retired health professionals during disasters. A model he developed for utilizing volunteers in times of crisis will be presented at a Washington, D.C., biosecurity conference. Monty has also developed a neighborhood association and a hiking club. He is a board member of the Tanque Verde Valley Association. Community Involvement Roselyn Goodell, 96, Phoenix Still volunteering at age 96, Roselyn Goodell spends each and every day visiting, singing and dancing with the residents at the Kivel Care Center Nursing Home. Through her daily routine, she touches both residents’ and caregivers’ lives and gives special attention to sick patients and those with Alzheimer’s. Roselyn also produces weekly musical performances for the Kivel apartment complex, where she lives on her own. When she isn’t busy enriching the lives of Kivel inhabitants’, Roselyn is spreading her good will and cheer to local schools, where she reads to and mentors students. -MORE- Creative Expressions Doris Wilkinson, 87, Phoenix Retiring as a nurse anesthetist at age 65, Doris Wilkinson started her “second life” by developing her passion and talent as a painter. She has shown her work in Phoenix and Scottsdale galleries and has participated in shows all over the state, winning numerous awards for her figurative pastels. Six years ago Doris was diagnosed with macular degeneration, a disease that attacks the eyesight. Instead of giving up on her true love of and talent in representational art, she changed her technique and now creates collages and abstract art, with no plans to succumb to her failing eyesight. Doris’ energy and positive outlook make her an inspiration to all who know her. Love of Learning Lucile Byars, 87, Phoenix Her career as a teacher aptly prepared Lucile Byars in her decade-long-and-counting dedication to the fifth-grade students of Granada East School. She spends one hour, two afternoons a week, tutoring students in math. With spirit in her step and a sparkle in her eyes, she shows them that commitment and a positive attitude work wonders in school. Despite several medical problems, Lucile gives of her time and heart by encouraging her students to do and be their best. She is truly a shining example of stewardship in education. Vigor & Vitality Gheral Brownlow, 71, Prescott Gheral Brownlow is a man on the move! He founded the Prescott Running Group and cofounded such 10k and longer runs as Man vs. Horse and Whiskey Row, the longest-running marathon in Arizona. He participates in the annual “Rim-to-Rim” Grand Canyon running event and the 31-mile Crown King Scramble. He is also a Senior Olympics participant. Also an avid contributor to his community, Gheral developed the 1,000-acre Brownlow Trails for bicyclists, hikers, horseback riders and runners; he helped coordinate the building of a sports complex; he works with local Boy Scout troops; he offers motivation to folks on probation to help them assimilate into the community and find work; and he coordinates the annual Prescott Christmas Courthouse Lighting. Professionally, Gheral is serving his fourth term on the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors. ###