Staff Reports | Community Updates
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner joined 350 employees of The Cigna Group and local nonprofits at State Farm Stadium for a volunteer service event supporting children and families across Arizona.
Employees assembled doctor’s office playsets and playroom furniture for Ronald McDonald Houses and 1,000 youth outreach packs for distribution through Phoenix Children’s Foundation. The event also included a nonprofit fair connecting employees with Phoenix-area organizations and volunteer opportunities. The service project combined hands-on volunteerism, charitable giving and community partnerships to support organizations focused on the health and well-being of Arizona communities, according to a press release.
A cancer survivor, Mr. Conner has spoken publicly about the role care, resilience and community support played in his own experience.
“My own experience with cancer taught me how much it matters to know you have people in your corner,” Mr. Conner said. “I am proud to join The Cigna Group and these local organizations to create something tangible that can bring comfort, encouragement and support to young people across Arizona.”
At the event, he joined volunteers in service activities and discussed the importance of supporting children and families facing serious health challenges.
“Supporting the health and well-being of children requires a community that is willing to invest in their future. Through this partnership, The Cigna Group volunteers are making a meaningful difference for children and families who need encouragement and support. These kits are going to our Homeless Youth Outreach program and will help us extend compassionate care beyond our hospital walls and into the communities we serve,” Tim Harrison, vice president of corporate partnerships, special events and grant philanthropy at Phoenix Children’s, said.
Supporting community organizations
The event builds on The Cigna Group’s broader community efforts in Arizona.
In 2025, The Cigna Group contributed more than $9.2 million through donations and sponsorships across the state, while employees logged nearly 4,500 volunteer hours. The company said those efforts support partnerships with organizations serving children, families and communities statewide.
David Cordani, executive chair of The Cigna Group’s board of directors, joined Mr. Conner at the event to discuss the importance of supporting the health and well-being of young people.
During the event, The David and Sherry Cordani Family Foundation announced a donation to Phoenix Children’s Foundation to fund additional outreach packs for participants in Phoenix Children’s Homeless Youth Outreach Program.
“The best solutions for community impact are built together,” Sara Quist, senior director of community programs at The Cigna Group and president of The Cigna Group Foundation, said. “By working alongside local nonprofits, we seek to provide the help that is needed most for kids and families across Arizona.”
