Duane Reade Goes Pink to Support 2008 Komen New York City Race for the Cure(R)

~ Duane Reade, Local Presenting Race Sponsor, is selling paper ribbon pinups
to benefit Komen Greater New York City through the end of August ~

NEW YORK, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Duane Reade, the leading drug store
chain in metropolitan New York and the Local Presenting Sponsor for the 2008
Komen New York City Race for the Cure(R), is selling special Susan G. Komen
for the Cure(R) paper ribbon pinups in its stores through the month of August.
To further show Duane Reade's commitment to breast cancer awareness and the
effort to find a cure, for the second year in a row the Company's signature
shopping bags will go pink.
As part of Duane Reade's commitment to health and wellness, the Company is
selling $1 paper ribbon pinups in its 241 stores in the New York metropolitan
area. The promotion raised over $90,000 to-date, which will be donated in
addition to a contribution of $80,000 through Duane Reade's Charitable
Foundation, to the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the
Cure to underwrite New York area community-based breast health programs and
national peer-reviewed research.
To honor its second annual sponsorship of the Komen New York City Race for
the Cure, Duane Reade will again turn its iconic shopping bag pink. For the
two weeks prior to the race, from August 31st to September 14th, New Yorkers
will receive their purchases in the limited edition bags.
"We are very thankful to have the generous support of Duane Reade," said
Dara P. Richardson-Heron, MD, CEO of Komen Greater New York City. "In 2008,
more than 170,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,000 will
die. We appreciate Duane Reade's commitment to helping us run breast cancer
out of town. The Company's pinup program will allow us to fund even more
local breast health education, screening and treatment programs next year, and
the pink shopping bags will be a tangible and lasting sign of New York's
support."
"As an integral part of the New York community, we are proud to play such
a large role in the 2008 Komen New York City Race for the Cure," said John
Lederer, CEO of Duane Reade. "Duane Reade is the Local Presenting Sponsor of
the race and by selling the Komen ribbon pinups in our stores and turning our
iconic shopping bags pink, we invite New Yorkers to show their support and
help us contribute to the effort to find a cure for breast cancer."
The 2008 race will be held on Sunday, September 14th in Central Park. The
event is the signature fundraiser for the Greater New York City Affiliate of
Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R). Race registration is open at
www.komennyc.org/race.
Duane Reade partnered with the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G.
Komen for the Cure and Outreach for Breast Health Foundation (OBHF) earlier
this year to provide free mammography services at the Duane Reade stores
located in East Harlem, New York in recognition of Black History Month. A
mobile mammography van was on-site at these select Duane Reade stores to
administer free mammogram screenings.
The Duane Reade Charitable Foundation was formed in March 2007 and is
committed to supporting charitable organizations that promote health and
wellness in New York's communities. A portion of the budget is also reserved
to support programs that address local community needs.
About Duane Reade
Founded in 1960, Duane Reade is the largest drug store chain in the
metropolitan New York City area, offering a wide variety of prescription and
over-the-counter drugs, health and beauty care items, cosmetics, greeting
cards, photo supplies and photofinishing. As of June 28, 2008, the Company
operated 241 stores.
About the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
The Greater New York City Affiliate, Susan G. Komen for the Cure was
founded in 1990 and has raised over $40 million to date. The organization is
unique, disbursing up to 75 percent of its net income to local programs in the
five boroughs of New York City, on Long Island and in Westchester and Rockland
Counties. In 2008, Komen Greater NYC is awarding close to $3.8 million in
grants -- more than $2.5 million will support 38 community-based organizations
and three hospitals that provide breast health programs to underserved women
and nearly $1.3 million will support peer-reviewed research projects at the
national level.
For more information, visit the Komen Greater NYC Website,
www.komennyc.org.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do
everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise
became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer
movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network
of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower
people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.
Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested nearly $1
billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds
dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.
For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or
breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.
About the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure(R) series
Susan G. Komen for the Cure is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the
Komen Race for the Cure(R), the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the
world, with well over one million participants since 2005. The Komen Race for
the Cure(R) series raises significant funds and awareness for the fight
against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship and honors those
who have lost their battle with the disease.
Contact: Komen Greater NYC
Vern Calhoun
vcalhoun@komennyc.org
212-461-6188

Duane Reade
Melissa Kahaly
Melissa.Kahaly@fd.com
212-850-5709

SOURCE Duane Reade

Vern Calhoun, Komen Greater NYC, +1-212-461-6188, vcalhoun@komennyc.org; or
Melissa Kahaly, for Duane Reade, +1-212-850-5709, Melissa.Kahaly@fd.com