Lycoming County Health Improvement Coalition, Inc. (LCHIC) recently received a $63,100 grant from The Blue Ribbon Foundation of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania to expand the Neighbor To Neighbor Program throughout rural sections of Lycoming County.

Started in 2006, Neighbor To Neighbor provides free cardiac, respiratory, aneurysm, stroke, prostate, and osteoporosis education and screenings to uninsured and underinsured individuals. More than 3,200 participants have attended a Neighbor To Neighbor event in the past two years.

With funding from The Blue Ribbon Foundation, more screenings will be scheduled over the next 12 months, serving nearly 450 additional uninsured and underinsured individuals throughout the county.

“By helping Neighbor To Neighbor’s many health partners expand screenings for those who are most vulnerable, we hope that early detection and prevention education can save lives,” said Cynthia A. Yevich, executive director of The Blue Ribbon Foundation.

“No one should go without basic health screenings because they lack insurance or can’t afford to pay,” said Elizabeth Downey, PA State Grange Secretary and lead Lycoming County Grange Representative.

“We’re grateful that The Blue Ribbon Foundation’s grant will help Neighbor To Neighbor expand this year and reach hundreds of additional people with screenings at our Grange locations.”