WOONSOCKET — CVS Health Corp. has committed to helping the American Cancer Society raise $10 million over the next three years through customer donations at the counters of its 8,800 pharmacy locations, the first such partnership focusing on raising money for all the American Cancer Society’s prevention programs.
The partnership also designates CVS Health as the American Cancer Society’s official retail pharmacy partner.
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The funds will be raised to support cancer patient services programs, breakthrough cancer research, free rides to treatments, free lodging near hospitals, and a live 24/7 cancer helpline and tobacco control programs. The overall goal is to help reduce the number of all forms cancer deaths. including those related to smoking and tobacco use. According to the American Cancer Society, almost 30 percent of cancer deaths this year will be caused by cigarette smoking.
“Through our new commitment to the American Cancer Society, we will help to support more cancer survivors and reduce the number of cancer deaths, including those related to smoking,” said Dr. Troy Brennan, executive vice president and chief medical officer, CVS Health. “We are pleased to be extending our relationship with a best-in-class cancer organization, which shares our purpose of helping people on their path to better health.”
The entities previously partnered on the Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative, part of Be The First, in 2015, CVS Health’s five-year, $50 million initiative supporting education, advocacy, tobacco control, and healthy behavior programming to help deliver the nation’s first tobacco-free generation.
On April 28, 2016, the American Cancer Society and CVS announced a three-year, $3.6 million Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative to provide CVS Health Foundation grants to 125 institutions to expand the number of 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free college and university campuses in the country.
“The American Cancer Society is dedicated to leading the fight against cancer, including helping people quit smoking or never starting in the first place,” said Dr. Otis W. Brawley, chief medical and scientific officer of the American Cancer Society. “Recognizing that cigarette smoking is a leading cause of cancer, CVS Pharmacy has removed tobacco products from their shelves and is committed to delivering the first tobacco-free generation. That’s why the American Cancer Society is proud to partner with CVS Health.”
People interested in donating to the American Cancer Society directly can do so through the campaign’s web site.
Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Borkowski@PBN.com.
