The 2005 Cornell United Way Campaign surpassed its goal of $627,000 during the winter break, but the call for pledges continues -- and for good reason. One of the major challenges facing many county residents in need is a lack of affordable health care.

With that in mind, Cornell community members who have not yet participated are asked to consider pledging to the Urgent Rx Challenge Grant, a matching grant of $25,000 from the Brooks Family Foundation. So far, $17,560 has been pledged toward the program.

Urgent Rx will help low-income, uninsured Tompkins County residents obtain prescription medicines (as part of their treatment plan) from the Cayuga Medical Center's Emergency Room and Convenient Care Center. Urgent Rx Program patients also will be assisted in enrolling for available insurance programs, such as Family Health Plus, Child Heath Plus and Medicaid.

"We really need to maximize this grant," said Ann Colt, campaign and community relations director for the county United Way. "If donors choose to designate all or a portion of their gifts to this program, they need to write 'Urgent Rx' in the designated space on the pledge card."

Cornell pledges-to-date total $652,772, with $57,973 in pledges in the week leading up to Jan. 10. Participation rates shot up to more than 16 percent, still short of this year's goal of 20 percent participation. The Tompkins County Campaign is at 94 percent of its $1.8 million goal. The Cornell and county campaigns officially close on March 31. Last year, Cornell closed its campaign having raised $679,151.

"We are very thankful for the generous support we have received from all donors at Cornell University and thrilled that they have surpassed their goal," said Colt. "Every one of these gifts makes a positive difference in someone's life."

United Way raises money to support more than 100 local programs through 30 member and affiliated agencies and 11 community councils designed to meet critical needs in the local community.

United Way pledges can be paid through payroll deduction or with a check or credit card. For more information, visit the United Way of Tompkins County Web site at http://www.uwtc.org or Cornell's United Way Web site, where you also can donate online, at http://www.unitedway.sas.cornell.edu.