CVS/pharmacy to Launch Annual Fundraising Campaign to Support ALS Research
Posted : Wed, 30 May 2007 16:20:00 GMT
Author : CVS pharmacy
Category : PressRelease
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WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS/pharmacy will hold a campaign to support ALS research in all CVS/pharmacy locations nationwide from June 3 - 23, 2007. This is the sixth year of the annual fundraising effort through which CVS/pharmacy has already raised nearly $8 million for ALS research.

In the annual ALS Therapy Alliance (ATA) "Researching a Cure" campaign for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, CVS/pharmacy employees are encouraged to ask their customers for a $1 donation at the checkout counter. Since the fundraiser began in 2002, nearly $8 million has been collected to help researchers better understand the disease and search for its cure.

"CVS/pharmacy's fundraiser for ALS helps to support important research that could result in a cure for ALS," said Eileen Howard Dunn, Vice President, Corporate Communications and Community Relations for CVS/pharmacy. "We are proud to be a part of making a positive difference in the lives of people with ALS and their families."

"With the wonderful support of CVS/pharmacy, the ALS Therapy Alliance has been able to develop several parallel ALS research projects that are extremely promising," said Dr. Robert H. Brown, a member of the ATA and co-director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Neuromuscular Clinic.

ALS is a rapidly progressing neurological disorder that attacks the motor nerve cells responsible for voluntary movement. Though the sequence of emerging symptoms and the progression rate for this adult-onset disease varies with each individual, a patient's muscles ultimately weaken and become paralyzed. It is said that death usually occurs three to five years after diagnosis. The cause of the disease is unknown, treatments are limited and, to date, there is no cure. To learn more about ALS, visit http://www.alsa.org/.