Table of Contents
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Walgreen Co. has become a national strategic partner of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to collaborate with the organization on its Stop Diabetes effort.
ADA said Thursday that under the alliance, Walgreens is again working with the association as one of its partner charities within the Walgreens Way to Well Commitment, a four-year, $100 million health and wellness initiative that the drug store chain launched in February.
Plans call for Walgreens to support ADA’s type 2 diabetes prevention initiative for consumers, CheckUp America. The pharmacy chain will support the association’s community events in select markets across the country that are designed to help those at highest risk for diabetes become aware and take action to "Stop Diabetes before it starts," according to ADA.
In addition, Walgreens’ funding will support expanded distribution of patient education materials and the development of a new, national public service campaign to promote consumer awareness about diabetes and heart disease.
"Education is crucial for the prevention of type 2 diabetes, and we are excited to have Walgreens on board to help us further our mission in stopping this deadly disease," Larry Hausner, chief executive officer of the American Diabetes Association, said in a statement. "We have set a very comprehensive strategic plan and this initiative will helps us achieve those goals by expanding our reach and impact in the communities we serve every day."
ADA noted that 79 million Americans have prediabetes, but only one out of 10 knows that he or she has it. The association said it aims to double the number of people who are aware they have prediabetes by 2015 and that Walgreens’ support will be a key asset in that drive. Recent estimates project that as many as one in three U.S. adults will have diabetes in 2050 without increased prevention efforts.
"Walgreens is proud to support the Stop Diabetes initiative and the American Diabetes Association, as we work to bring educational and preventive health care resources to thousands of communities nationwide," stated Bonnie Gordon, Walgreens’ director of cause marketing. "Prevention and early detection of today’s leading diseases, including diabetes, are the pillars of the Walgreens Way to Well Commitment. Working with the association and other national health organizations, we hope to help people live longer, healthier lives by providing access to the resources they need to stay well."
