WOONSOCKET, R.I., June 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health
(NYSE: CVS) and the American Lung Association have launched a
campaign at CVS Pharmacy locations to support the Lung
Association's COVID-19 Action Initiative, which will expand
COVID-19 research and fund the development of new vaccines,
detection tests and treatment to defend against future respiratory
viruses.
"Our customers have consistently responded with support and
enthusiasm for our nonprofit relationships, and we certainly expect
that to be the case with an organization whose work has never been
more important," said Eileen Howard
Boone, Senior Vice President, Corporate Social
Responsibility & Philanthropy and Chief Sustainability Officer
for CVS Health. "This campaign will be available both in-store and
online, giving customers a number of ways to get involved and
support the critical efforts of the American Lung Association - an
organization with which we've worked for a long time."
The Lung Association's COVID-19 Action Initiative funding will
be used to expand its ongoing respiratory research program within
the current studies of the Airways Clinical Research Centers
Network as well as to create new research awards and grants to
advance knowledge around this new lung disease and its terrible
effects. The funding will also help enhance critical public health
measures through education and advocacy and establish an advanced
network of government, private industry and public health
organizations to try to prevent future respiratory virus pandemics
through access to vaccines and antivirals.
"For the more than 36 million people in the U.S. who live with a
lung disease, as well as communities of color who are more
vulnerable to complications from COVID-19, it is especially
critical that we focus on reducing the spread and impact of deadly
respiratory viruses," said Harold
Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association.
"CVS Health has been a committed partner to the American Lung
Association, helping us address the most pressing lung health
issues. This year is no different, as CVS Health has stepped
forward as our lead sponsor for our COVID-19 Action
Initiative."
The in-store fundraising campaign, which launched Sunday, June 21, will run at approximately 9,900
CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide through Saturday, July 18. Throughout these four weeks,
customers can donate to the American Lung Association's COVID-19
Action Initiative at the register and online at
Lung.org/cvs.
"The technology updates we've made to allow contactless giving
to this campaign at the point-of-sale complement many other
innovations we've put in place during this pandemic to making
shopping easier for our CVS Pharmacy customers," said Ryan Rumbarger, Senior Vice President, Retail
Store Operations, CVS Pharmacy.
As the oldest voluntary health organization in the country, the
American Lung Association pioneered the model of using education,
advocacy and research to virtually eradicate tuberculosis in
the United States. The
organization is using those same principles to help address the
pandemic by meeting the challenges of COVID-19 and future
respiratory viruses.
About American Lung Association
The American Lung
Association is the leading organization working to save lives by
improving lung health and preventing lung disease through
education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung
Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat
lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality
of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to
create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the
American Lung Association, a holder of the coveted 4-star rating
from Charity Navigator and a Gold-Level GuideStar Member, or to
support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or
visit: Lung.org.
About CVS Health
CVS Health employees are united
around a common goal of becoming the most consumer-centric health
company in the world. We're evolving based on changing consumer
needs and meeting people where they are, whether that's in the
community at one of our nearly 10,000 local touchpoints, in the
home, or in the palm of their hand. Our newest offerings — from
HealthHUB® locations that are redefining what a pharmacy can be, to
innovative programs that help manage chronic conditions — are
designed to create a higher-quality, simpler and more affordable
experience. Learn more about how we're transforming health at
www.cvshealth.com.
Media Contact:
Courtney
Tavener
401-712-3698
Courtney.Tavener@CVSHealth.com
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SOURCE CVS Health