Now Reading
Longs Drugs Contributes $226,000 to Muscular Dystrophy Association in See's Candy Bar Promotion
Longs Drugs Contributes $226,000 to Muscular Dystrophy Association in See's Candy Bar Promotion
Published 04-19-00
Submitted by Longs Drug Stores Corporation
Longs Drug Stores today gave the Muscular Dystrophy Association a check for over $226,000, the result of a month-long sales promotion of See’s Candies chocolate bars in 385 Longs stores in five western states.
The check was presented by Long’s President and CEO Steve Roath to Matthew Hess and his family who represented MDA. Matthew, 7, was diagnosed with Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy two years ago and is the 2000 Contra Costa County Goodwill Ambassador for MDA. Last year, Matthew served as the Goodwill Ambassador for MDA in the San Francisco area.
"Our contribution to the Muscular Dystrophy Association reflects one of Longs' core values - our commitment to the health and well being of our communities. With our focus on health and the support of Longs customers who share that concern, we're making campaigns like this a priority," said Roath. Longs has also raised close to $680,000 in Telethon monies as a participant in the MDA “Aisles of Smiles” program since 1989.
MDA annually funds some 400 research teams worldwide, spending more than $25 million a year, or $48 each minute, pursuing treatments and cures for 40 neuromuscular diseases. MDA research activities, which total $3.46 million in California and more than $1.4 million in northern California alone, are being conducted at Stanford University, the University of California at Berkeley and Davis, the San Francisco Veterans Administration Center and the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco.
More than 70,000 patient visits are made each year to MDA’s 230 hospital-affiliated clinics and 20 ALS Research & Clinical Care Centers for diagnostic and follow-up health services, including those in Bakersfield, Fresno and San Francisco in the northern California area. In addition, more than 230 MDA-facilitated support groups meet year-round helping thousands of individuals and families affected by neuromuscular diseases. These groups include those in Bakersfield, Oakland, Sacramento and San Jose.
MDA was the first nonprofit organization honored by the American Medical Association with a Lifetime Achievement Award “for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity.” A voluntary health agency, MDA directs the fight against neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. MDA provides free comprehensive patient care to thousands of families in California. For more information about MDA or referrals to any of its 230 clinics, call 800-572-1717 or visit www.mdausa.org on the Internet.
Longs Drug Stores Corporation (NYSE:LDG) is one of the most successful drug store chains in North America. Founded in 1938 by brothers Joe and Tom Long as "Longs Self-Service Drugs", the Company currently operates 417 stores in California, Nevada, Colorado, Hawaii, Washington and Oregon. Annual sales average over $9.3 million per store. Longs' unique strategy includes competencies in the key categories of pharmacy, over the counter medications, photo, and cosmetics, as well as other convenience offerings. Longs' web site blends consumer services and health-related information with a variety of data about the company. Longs' community health screening schedules, on-line prescription refills and pharmacist access, coupons, a monthly health topic, and the latest company news and investor information are regular features of the site which is located on the Internet at www.longs.com.
