CVS/pharmacy Raises Record-breaking $4.4 Million for ALS Research Through Annual ALS Fundraising Campaign
Check to benefit ALS Therapy Alliance to be presented at Fenway Park Tonight
By CVS/pharmacy
WOONSOCKET, R.I., July 25 --
CVS/pharmacy announced today that this year it has raised a record-breaking $4.4 million in just 21 days through its annual in-store fundraising campaign for ALS research. This is the seventh year of the annual fundraising effort which, to date, has raised more than $15 million for ALS research. This year's fundraiser took place in CVS/pharmacy locations nationwide from June 8 - 28.

"We could not be more thrilled with the support from CVS/pharmacy customers for ALS research this year and for the past several years," said Jon Roberts, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of CVS Caremark, who also served as an honorary co-chair of this year's fundraising campaign with Jeanne Bouley, a former CVS employee and ALS patient. "Our CVS/pharmacy customers demonstrated tremendous generosity in recognizing the need for funding for ALS research and we are extremely grateful for their support," Roberts added.

ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a disorder in which there is progressive degeneration of motor nerves in the brain and spinal cord leading to paralysis and death, typically within three to five years. There is no known cause or cure for ALS, which affects 25,000 Americans, with 5,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

The CVS/pharmacy funds will be donated to the ALS Therapy Alliance (ATA) which was founded in 2000 to provide a vehicle for a diverse group of scientists and clinicians to coordinate research related to ALS. Scientists involved in the ATA are affiliated with some of the best universities and medical centers, including, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Boston University and the University of Massachusetts. CVS Caremark is the largest corporate donor to the ALS Therapy Alliance.

"CVS/pharmacy fundraising has had a significant impact on ALS research," said Robert Brown, Jr., D.Phil., M.D., director of the Cecil B. Day Neuromuscular Research Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. "While we have much more to achieve, we have begun to see progress in studies looking at genetic risk factors for ALS, as well as early treatments that could put an end to or significantly delay the onset of ALS symptoms."

The official check presentation will take place prior to the Boston Red Sox vs. Yankees game at Fenway Park this evening. Tom Ryan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of CVS Caremark, will participate in the check presentation along with Roberts, Bouley, and Brown. They are expected to be joined by Red Sox pitcher Mike Timlin.

About CVS/pharmacy

CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), is America's largest retail pharmacy with more than 6,300 retail locations. CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the lives of those we serve by making innovative and high-quality health and pharmacy services safe, affordable and easy to access, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at http://www.cvs.com/pressroom, as well as http://investor.cvs.com.


Contact:
Carolyn Castel
CVS/pharmacy
(401) 770-5717
ccastel@cvs.com

SOURCE CVS/pharmacy

Carolyn Castel of CVS/pharmacy, +1-401-770-5717, ccastel@cvs.com

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