Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has announced that is committing $30,000 to support the American Red Cross in providing disaster relief in the wake of terrorist attacks on September 11 in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. The donation is part of a nationwide Blue Cross and Blue Shield effort to contribute $1 million to this effort. 

Mark W. Banks, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Blue Cross, said the contribution would aid the families of victims, including those from Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Empire's New York City headquarters in the World Trade Center were destroyed in last Tuesday's attacks.  

Blue Cross employees will continue a 20-year tradition of donating blood to the American Red Cross during the next quarterly blood drive, October 18 and 19. Blue Cross also is matching employee pledges to the Blue Cross Community Giving Campaign in support of the United Way.

The 44 member Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies and the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association have all joined together to respond to the tragedy. "All across the country, Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies and their associates have been touched by this national tragedy and are contributing generously to the cause," said Scott Serota, president and chief executive officer of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Earlier this year, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation made a $100,000 grant to the American Red Cross stress team in Minnesota to provide counseling and professional help to victims of spring flooding and other natural disasters.

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