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"We could not be more thrilled with the support from CVS/pharmacycustomers for ALS research this year and for the past several years," said JonRoberts, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of CVS Caremark,who also served as an honorary co-chair of this year's fundraising campaignwith Jeanne Bouley, a former CVS employee and ALS patient. "Our CVS/pharmacycustomers demonstrated tremendous generosity in recognizing the need forfunding for ALS research and we are extremely grateful for their support,"Roberts added.
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ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a disorder in which there isprogressive degeneration of motor nerves in the brain and spinal cord leadingto paralysis and death, typically within three to five years. There is noknown cause or cure for ALS, which affects 25,000 Americans, with 5,000 newcases 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 ofscientists and clinicians to coordinate research related to ALS. Scientistsinvolved in the ATA are affiliated with some of the best universities andmedical centers, including, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard MedicalSchool, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Brigham andWomen's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Boston University and theUniversity of Massachusetts. CVS Caremark is the largest corporate donor tothe 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. DayNeuromuscular Research Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital, andProfessor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. "While we have much more toachieve, we have begun to see progress in studies looking at genetic riskfactors for ALS, as well as early treatments that could put an end to orsignificantly delay the onset of ALS symptoms."
The official check presentation will take place prior to the Boston RedSox vs. Yankees game at Fenway Park this evening. Tom Ryan, Chairman,President and Chief Executive Officer of CVS Caremark, will participate in thecheck presentation along with Roberts, Bouley, and Brown. They are expected tobe 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 makinginnovative and high-quality health and pharmacy services safe, affordable andeasy to access, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General informationabout CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available athttp://www.cvs.com/pressroom, as well as http://investor.cvs.com.Contact: Carolyn Castel CVS/pharmacy (401) 770-5717 [email protected]
SOURCE CVS/pharmacy
