Dateline:
COSTA MESA, Calif.

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CareCredit’s commitment to helping people access healthcare for nearly 30 years was bolstered in 2014 through its Caring Communities Program, which provided employee volunteer support and grants of more than $210,000 to charitable organizations nationwide.

CareCredit, a health, wellness and beauty credit card, has expanded its philanthropic efforts over time and created its Caring Communities Program to formalize and focus financial support and employee volunteer activities.

“CareCredit’s mission as a health, wellness and beauty credit card has always been to give providers a way to help more patients access care,” explained Cindy Hearn, vice president of branding and communications. “CareCredit’s Caring Communities Program is one way we support charities through financial and volunteer contributions, giving these organizations the resources they need to continue to help more people - with a special focus on children - access care in the communities they serve.”

In 2014 alone, the Caring Communities Program donated more than $210,000 in grants to organizations, spanning six healthcare professions to help low-to-moderate income households in the U.S. obtain necessary care that might not otherwise be received:

• Dentistry – CareCredit continued its eight-year commitment to Give Kids A Smile, helping fund dental education, screening and treatment events across the country for school-aged children.

Two CareCredit leaders were also recognized in 2014 for their contributions to the dental profession by the American Dental Association Foundation (ADAF). Cindy Hearn, vice president of branding and communications, received the Steven W. Kess Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) Corporate Volunteer Award, and Bete Johnson, vice president of business development, was the recipient of the inaugural Linda Miles Spirit Award.

Cindy Hearn was recognized for her volunteerism on behalf of the ADA’s signature-access-to-care program, GKAS, which provides free dental care and education to underserved children throughout the nation. Hearn has served on the GKAS Advisory Committee since its inception in 2007.

Bete Johnson was presented with the Linda Miles Spirit Award at the annual Speaking Consulting Network (SCN) conference. In 1996, when SCN was founded, Johnson championed CareCredit’s support of the new organization. Johnson was selected for the award based on exemplifying the values and principles of the organization, including “encouraging competition to excel, coaching others without remuneration, spreading how that success is totally attainable, being enthusiastic about the profession and volunteering.”

• Vision Health – for the third year, the company supported the American Optometric Association Foundation’s InfantSEE Program to provide vision assessment for infants and children up to age four. Additionally, CareCredit began working with OneSight, a global vision care nonprofit sponsored by Luxottica, through a grant to help it continue its efforts to provide free eye exams and glasses to underserved children.
• Veterinary Medicine – CareCredit once again supported Canine Companions for Independence to enable more children, and their families, to attend training courses with their assistance dogs.
• Reconstructive Surgery – a donation was provided to the Plastic Surgery Foundation Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Fund to enable reconstructive surgery for uninsured or underinsured women as a treatment for breast cancer.
• Hearing Health – CareCredit’s contribution helped The Miracle Ear Children’s Foundation provide hearing aids and hearing support services for children.
• Dermatology – CareCredit began working with Camp Discovery, a summer camp for children with chronic skin conditions, taught by counselors with the same conditions. This support will enable more children to enjoy camp and participate in fishing, swimming, horseback riding and more experiences.

In addition to financial support, CareCredit’s Caring Communities Program organizes employee volunteers. The company’s employees continue to donate hundreds of hours to philanthropic organizations, including the Special Olympics, Junior Achievement and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, as well as a number of other events and causes.

For more information on CareCredit’s Caring Communities Program visit www.carecredit.com/caring-communities.

About CareCredit^SM

For nearly 30 years, CareCredit has helped millions of patients receive needed and desired care. CareCredit is a health, wellness and beauty credit card that can be used as a financing option for certain expenses not covered by insurance or to bridge payment when desired care exceeds insurance coverage. CareCredit is accepted at more than 185,000 healthcare practices nationwide. For more information on CareCredit, call 800-300-3046 or visit www.carecredit.com.

Contact:

CareCredit
Cindy Hearn, vice president of branding & communications,
800-300-3046, ext. 4138
chearn@carecredit.com
Communications, 855-791-8007
media.relations@synchronyfinancial.com
www.carecredit.com
©2015 CareCredit. All rights reserved.