May 1, 2007

Duane Reade Drug Stores and the Yankees
Team up to ‘Strike Out’ Lou Gehrig’s Disease

New York drug store chain Duane Reade and the New York Yankees have teamed up for National ALS Awareness Month.

Pinstriped Jason Giambi, New York Yankees, with (L-R) drug store chain Duane Reades’ Dave D’Arezzo, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Jim Scarfone, senior vice president of human resources and administration, Jeff Thompson, vice president of marketing, and Abby Anderson, manager of supply chain.

All proceeds from the sale of the paper baseballs at Duane Reade will be donated to The ALS Association’s Greater New York Chapter and will go toward enhancing patient services and funding ALS research. As recognition for their contribution to this cause, customers can sign the paper baseballs, which will then be displayed in Duane Reade stores. 

The chapter became involved with Duane Reade after a company manager on the job for approximately one year asked her employer if it would be interested in raising money by selling paper baseballs.

Abby Anderson, chair of the chapter’s first Woodbridge Walk to D’Feet ALS�, which her father participated and then passed away three weeks later, impressed the firm’s executives. They then introduced Anderson, in her fourth year as chair of the Walk, to their counterparts with the Yankees.

As the result of Anderson telling her story to the Yankees, they agreed to help promote the fundraiser at their home games and to launch the campaign with a pre-game on field ceremony at home plate, held on April18. 

“As New York’s leading drug store chain, we are proud to be teaming up with The New York Yankees to continue our commitment to promoting wellness to New Yorkers,” said Rick Dreiling president, CEO and chairman of Duane Reade. “We look forward to working with the Yankees and the New York community to raise awareness and funding for research for this debilitating disease.”

The Greater New York Chapter plays a major role in promoting the mission of The Association by providing support to patients and their families in the Greater New York area including New York City's five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester and Rockland counties and northern and central New Jersey.

Duane Reade offers a wide variety of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, health and beauty care items, cosmetics, greeting cards, photo supplies and photofinishing.