The American Cancer Society Recognizes Steven Bangert of CoBiz Financial as 2014 CEO of the Year Recipient
The annual award goes to a CEO who has supported the Society through time, commitment & company involvement
ST. LOUIS, MO, June 18, 2014 /3BL Media/ –The American Cancer Society announces that the 2014 recipient of the CEO of the Year award is being presented to Steven Bangert, Chairman & CEO of CoBiz Financial for his outstanding support of the Society’s mission to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.
The CEO of the Year recognition is part of the American Cancer Society Corporate Impact Awards, presented annually by the Society’s Corporate Relationships & Strategic Alliances team. The honor is given to a chief executive officer who has engaged with the Society through personal commitments of time, talent or financial support, while facilitating the involvement of their employees, members and/or customers in support of the Society’s mission.
“Steven Bangert shares the commitment of the American Cancer Society to help people stay well and get well, to find cures for cancer and to fight back,” says John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. “Mr. Bangert continues to give back because he understands the importance of cancer prevention among his workforce and community --- and he knows we have to take action to avoid a tsunami of unnecessary disease and suffering.”
Bangert has ensured that all of the company’s 530 employees participating in the company-sponsored health plan have 100% coverage of all cancer prevention and early detection screenings, and are reminded to do so with a special email on their birthdays. Employees receive a paid day off to get a physical, with 95% employee participation. Employees also have access to a 100% tobacco-free work place and cover Nicotine Replacement Therapy for employees and dependents. Employees have many opportunities to engage in American Cancer Society fundraising activities and the company has committed to donating more than $120,000 in sponsorship to the American Cancer Society.
Bangert is no stranger to the devastating impact a cancer diagnosis can have on a family. In one year, he lost his father, his best friend and his business mentor to the disease. In addition, he stays in close contact with employees and their dependents who are newly diagnosed with, battling or living with cancer.
“I am so honored to receive the CEO of the Year Award and to engage with the important mission of the American Cancer Society,” said Bangert. “As the leader of a company, you have a unique opportunity to engage your employees in living longer, happier, healthier lives. That’s the real reward for me.”
“Through our involvement with the ACS, we’ve added structure and discipline to our corporate wellness program. We’ve also gained an understanding of the things we can do today to prevent and, ultimately, defeat cancer. I encourage other CEOs to consider engaging their companies and their employees in finishing the fight.”
Bangert is being presented with the CEO of the Year Award at the annual American Cancer Society CEOs Against Cancer National meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, June 18, 2014. Photos of Bangert and the awards presentation will be posted on the @ACSImpact and @AmericanCancer Twitter pages, hashtag #ACSImpact.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks to our progress, nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. We’re determined to make this cancer’s last century and finish the fight. We're finding cures as the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
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