The Cura Foundation and Sanford Health are honored to be recognized as Silver Winners for Best Nonprofit Campaign and Best Influencer Endorsement categories (Health) in the Inaugural Anthem Awards
New York, NY — March 2, 2022 – The Cura Foundation announced today that it has been named as a Silver Winner for its #UniteToPrevent PSA Campaign in Best Nonprofit Campaign and Best Influencer Endorsement categories (Health) in the Inaugural Anthem Awards. The PSA Campaign has been executive produced by Cura Foundation’s president and founder Robin Smith, MD, MBA, Marcie Mulé and Roni Selig, co-presidents of RonMar Studios and Ashleigh Walton, executive director of marketing at Sanford Health.
#UniteToPrevent is a U.S.-based multimedia campaign raising awareness of the continuing need to act safely, together, to stop the spread of COVID-19. The PSA clips distributed on TV, radio and online feature 19 celebrities and athletes. The campaign is supported by the Cura Foundation, a nonprofit with a mission to improve human health globally, and Sanford Health, one of the largest health systems in the U.S. The initiative received additional support from three separate entities Aspire Capital, Alliance Global Partners and Akkad Holdings.
The #UniteToPrevent campaign reinforces the need to follow public health and prevention measures (especially mask-wearing, vaccinations and boosters) as the COVID-19 landscape changes. PSA participants include singer and songwriter Josh Groban, entertainer Steve Harvey, talk show host Amanda Kloots, NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, actors and celebrities Colton Dunn, Joshua Malina, Raven-Symoné, Elise Neal, Cristela Alonzo, Kate Flannery, Oscar Nuñez, Leslie David, Margaret Cho, Loni Love, Ross Mathews, Bill Engvall, Gabrielle Carteris, Dan Bucatinsky and Bernie Williams. Learn more at unitetoprevent.org.
To reduce social disparities in the fight against COVID-19, Cura is expanding the reach of the campaign with two new PSAs in Spanish featuring multi-Grammy Award-winning recording artist Jon Secada and actors and celebrities Olga Merediz (“In the Heights,” “Encanto”), Alfonso Herrera (“Ozark”), Judy Reyes (“Scrubs,” “Devious Maids”), Cristián de La Fuente and Daphne Rubin-Vega.
#UniteToPrevent has circulated in the U.S. with people seeing or hearing it more than 535 million times in 25,402 radio and 121,404 TV airings. It has aired nationally on local affiliate television stations as well as national networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, ION, The CW, MyTV Network, Bounce, and Telemundo.
“It is our distinct honor to recognize the work that brands, organizations, and individuals are all making to create an impact in their community,” said Jessica Lauretti, managing director, The Anthem Awards. “We launched this platform to show the world that all corners of our culture, from sports and entertainment to business leaders and celebrities, are all standing up to say, it is time for systemic change and that social good is what we value as a society.”
“COVID-19 knows no boundaries,” said Robin Smith, MD, MBA, founder and president of the Cura Foundation. “The pandemic won’t end for anyone until it ends for all. We all have to stay vigilant to protect ourselves and others. Get Vaccinated! #UniteToPrevent.”
“I cannot thank enough the incredible caregivers who have been fighting COVID-19 and all that comes with it for more than two years. We must continue to do all we can to stop the spread of the virus so their sacrifices do not go in vain,” said Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health. “I applaud the Cura Foundation and all partners in the #UniteToPrevent campaign for raising awareness of this crucial message on the steps needed to keep our communities safe and reduce the strain on health care workers.”
Winners for the inaugural Anthem Awards were celebrated at the first annual Anthem Voices conference followed by a star-studded virtual Awards Show on Monday, February 28, 2022.
The Anthem Awards was launched in response to the prevalence social good has taken within the national conversation and cultural zeitgeist in recent years. The inaugural competition received nearly 2,500 entries from 36 countries worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, the Anthem Awards are defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their communities. A portion of program revenue will fund a new grant program supporting emerging individuals and organizations working to advance the causes recognized in the inaugural Anthem Awards.