Hollywood, FL (June 22, 2009) – Walgreens of South Florida and the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation have teamed up in an effort to help cure diabetes now for the 24 million Americans living with this disease.
Several ongoing fundraising and awareness efforts within 265 Walgreens locations across South Florida will inform customers of the store’s commitment to supporting the life-saving work of the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), a center of excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
“Everyone knows Walgreens as a great neighborhood store. The company’s pledge to raise much-needed funds within stores throughout the year further demonstrates its commitment to the community and a cure for all people affected by diabetes,” stated Robert A. Pearlman, president and CEO of the DRI Foundation.
Already in stores, collection canisters with the words, “Help Cure Diabetes Now,” are gracing register countertops, and employees are proudly wearing buttons with the same sentiment. With just 33 of the 260+ participating stores handing in full cans during the first month of the program, nearly $3,000 has been raised for the diabetes association.
When the back-to-school season approaches, stores from Key West to Jupiter will be stocked with hand-crafted plush animals sporting clothing with the logos of Florida colleges, including Florida A&M, Florida State University, University of Florida and University of Miami. Priced at $5 each, a portion of sales will go directly to the cure-focused research being conducted at the DRI. Through both programs, Walgreens’ goal is to raise more than $125,000 for the DRI.
Additionally, the company’s regional charity softball tournament taking place this August will benefit the DRI.
“We are very pleased that all our convenient stores in South Florida can be used by our customers and patients to donate and help find a cure for diabetes,” said Roy Ripak, market vice president of Walgreens.
Walgreens of South Florida will also serve as the Presenting Sponsor of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation’s upcoming conference for people with diabetes and their families, titled Diabetes 2.0 >> Connecting the Community from Care to Cure. The diabetes association’s conference is slated for November 7, 2009 at the Signature Grand in Davie and will feature various presentations from the DRI’s researchers and other diabetes professionals. For more information, visit <www.diabetesresearch.org>or call the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation office at 1-800-321-3437.
The mission of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation is to provide the Diabetes Research Institute with the funding necessary to cure diabetes now.
The Diabetes Research Institute, a center of excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research. Since its inception in the early 1970s, the DRI has made significant contributions to the field of diabetes research, pioneering many of the techniques used in islet transplantation.
The DRI is now building upon these achievements by bridging cell-based therapies with emerging technologies to restore insulin production. For the millions of families already affected by diabetes, the Diabetes Research Institute is the best hope for a cure.
Media Contact:
Lauren Schreier
954.964.4040
lschreier@drif.org