CVS/pharmacy Kicks Off In-Store Fundraising Campaign to Benefit American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE

LUNG FORCE campaign dedicated to raising awareness that lung cancer kills more women than any other cancer

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May 04, 2015, 08:30 ET

WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today announced the launch of the second annual LUNG FORCE in-store fundraising campaign at all CVS/pharmacy locations and online, as part of the company's ongoing partnership with the American Lung Association. From now through May 23, CVS/pharmacy customers can contribute to the fight against lung cancer when they donate $1, $3, or more to the American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE initiative at the register or online at www.cvs.com/lung (all proceeds will support the movement).

CVS Health is the national presenting sponsor of LUNG FORCE, an initiative to make lung cancer a public health priority, drive policy change and increase research funding. Funds raised through the in-store campaign will support health education and critical research that will lead to better treatment options and improved methods of early detection. Last year, CVS/pharmacy colleagues and customers helped to raise more than $3.6 million for LUNG FORCE in the campaign's first year. In the last 37 years, the rate of new lung cancer cases has nearly doubled among women. Through nationwide efforts, LUNG FORCE works to change people's perceptions about what it means to have lung cancer so that everyone understands the risks.

"Every five minutes, a woman in the U.S. is diagnosed with lung cancer. Through the support we have received from CVS Health, its colleagues and its customers, we've been able to make a significant impact in helping to raise awareness of the number one cancer killer of women – lung cancer," said Harold Wimmer, National President and CEO, American Lung Association. "Through the LUNG FORCE in-store campaign, we are educating Americans about the dangers of lung cancer and helping to make it a public health priority while raising funds that are needed to beat this disease."

"An important part of our decision to stop selling tobacco products was our dedication to helping people on their path to better health. Our partnership with the American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE helps us extend that purpose to so many women and their families," said Helena Foulkes, President, CVS/pharmacy. "As we kick off the second year of our LUNG FORCE in-store fundraising campaign, we will continue to make significant strides in helping women understand the prevalence of lung cancer and reaffirm our commitment to helping people lead tobacco-free lives."

In 2014, the American Lung Association announced the findings of the Women's Lung Health Barometer, a survey of more than 1,000 American adult women, which measured women's knowledge of and views about lung cancer. The findings demonstrated that women's awareness of lung cancer's impact is extremely low. Despite being the number one cancer killer of women, only one percent of women cite lung cancer as a cancer that is top-of-mind. The Barometer also revealed 78 percent of women are not aware that lung cancer has killed more women than breast cancer since 1987.

Turquoise is the unifying color of the LUNG FORCE campaign. During National Women's Lung Health Week (May 11–17), CVS Health colleagues and LUNG FORCE constituents throughout the country will participate in a "Turquoise Takeover" and wear turquoise to raise awareness of the campaign. CVS Health colleagues will also engage in the LUNG FORCE initiative by participating in local events across the country.

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe, to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families, and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. To learn more about the in-store fundraising campaign or to make a donation, please visit www.cvs.com/lung.

About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 7,800 retail drugstores, nearly 1,000 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with more than 70 million plan members, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, CVS Health enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable, effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at www.cvshealth.com.

Media Contacts:
Erin Shields Britt, CVS Health
(401) 770-9237
[email protected]

Eva Pereira, RF|Binder
(781) 559-0424
[email protected]

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SOURCE CVS Health