MEDIA ALERT

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Allina Health Team Up to Address
Shortage of Personal Protective Equipment for Health Care Workers

Both organizations are calling for skilled volunteers to create CDC-approved, reusable masks

WHAT: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) announced a new community-
based initiative with Allina Health (Allina) to enable skilled volunteers to assist with the shortage
of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers.

This initiative asks skilled volunteers throughout the state to sew CDC-approved reusable face
masks that health workers can use as they treat patients. Details are available at
blog.bluecrossmn.com/covid19masks.

WHO: Blue Cross and Allina, in connection with Sew Good Goods and Treadle Yard Goods,
are encouraging all health systems, fabric manufacturers and distributors, and skilled volunteers
statewide to join us in this effort to support our health care workers at this time of immediate
need.

Spokespersons available for comment:

 Susan Schuster, principal community relations consultant, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Minnesota
 Helen Strike, president of Regina Hospital and River Falls Area Hospital, Allina Health
 Judy Walker, co-founder at Sew Good Goods and former vice president of risk
management at Blue Cross

Media contacts:
 Amanda Theisen, Blue Cross Public Relations
amanda.theisen@bluecrossmn.com
(651) 206-2569 (call or text)

 Tim Burke, Allina Public Relations

timothy.burke@allina.com
(651) 409-3030 (call or text)

WHERE: Twin Cities metropolitan area and expanding to greater Minnesota. Details on drop-
off sites will be updated in real time at blog.bluecrossmn.com/covid19masks

WHEN: Volunteers are asked to join this effort beginning Sun., March 22, 2020.
WHY: The shortage of masks and other PPE for health care workers is a serious concern to the
health of our community. Many Minnesotans are looking for ways to help and this is one
opportunity to do so in a meaningful way.

CALL-TO-ACTION: Visit blog.bluecrossmn.com/covid19masks for additional information

and instructions on how to get involved.

Blue Cross remains vigilant and focused in our efforts to ensure we are doing all we can to
ensure the health and safety of our community. Timely COVID-19 information and updates can
be found at bluecrossmn.com/coronavirus.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (bluecrossmn.com), with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan,
was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota’s first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today as a
health company: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of
Minnesota. Blue Cross is a not-for-profit, taxable organization. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an
independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago.

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