Tenth annual fundraising event to run June 5-25 in 7,200 CVS/pharmacy locations
As co-chairs, Herndon and Turner appear in the CVS/pharmacy “Researching A Cure” in-store video and radio spots, running June 5-25 in approximately 7,200 CVS/pharmacy locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Herndon’s inspirational “Journey On” song and video are also featured prominently in this year’s national fundraising campaign, which raises awareness about the ALS disease and encourages CVS/pharmacy customers to donate $1 at the checkout register and online to help fund critical ALS research.
“Journey On” is the title track and most recent single from Herndon’s Grammy Award-nominated and Dove Award-winning album, Journey On. The uplifting message of the song caught the attention last year of former NFL football player Kevin Turner, who was diagnosed with ALS in May 2010. “Journey On” has since become the official song for Turner’s nonprofit ALS organization, The Kevin Turner Foundation, and is a natural fit for this year’s “Researching A Cure” campaign, says Turner, who also stars in the official “Journey On” music video with two of his children.
“Ty and I are both really excited about our involvement with the ‘Researching A Cure’ campaign,” says Turner, who played eight seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles. “We’re extremely appreciative of the opportunity to partner with CVS/pharmacy and the ALS Therapy Alliance to raise awareness about this horrible disease, and hopefully ‘Journey On’ will connect with people and urge them into action the same way it did for me.”
Says chart-topping Country artist Herndon, “When I wrote ‘Journey On,’ I was writing about some of the personal struggles that I was experiencing in my life, but in the last year or so, I’ve come to realize that this song has a universal meaning that can be applied to virtually any kind of challenge that people may be facing. Kevin really opened my eyes to that, and we are committed to working with CVS/pharmacy and the ATA to opening everyone’s eyes about ALS.”
Since 2002, CVS/pharmacy has raised nearly $24 million for ALS research through its partnership with the ALS Therapy Alliance. In addition to the CVS/pharmacy in-store video and radio spots, individuals may visit www.ResearchingACure.org to learn more about this year’s fundraising efforts and view the “Researching A Cure” video or make a donation.
“The ALS Therapy Alliance is delighted to join forces with Kevin Turner and Ty Herndon in this effort to raise new funding for ALS research. Thanks to CVS/pharmacy, our research program has benefited scores of ALS scientists and laboratories. This new partnership will certainly enhance the research program,” said Dr. Robert Brown, who heads the Scientific Advisory Board of the ALS Therapy Alliance.
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by progressive degeneration of motor nerves in the brain and spinal cord, typically leading to paralysis and death within four to six years. There is no known cause or cure for ALS, which affects approximately 25,000 Americans, with 5,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
About Ty Herndon:
FUNL Music recording artist Ty Herndon, whose Country radio resume includes three No. 1 smashes (“What Mattered Most,” “Living in a Moment,” “It Must Be Love”), multiple Top 10s and more than 4 million albums sold, took a figurative leap of faith with his 2010 release, Journey On. The album marks Herndon’s first foray into songwriting, resulting in an album that Ty calls the most personal and spiritual project of his career. Having co-written all 11 tracks on the album, Journey On incorporates Herndon’s trademark Country sound with an inspirational and modern Christian element. “Journey On” was selected as the signature song of the Kevin Turner Foundation and is featured in the 2011 CVS/pharmacy and the ALS Therapy Alliance “Researching A Cure” fundraising campaign. For more information, visit www.TyHerndon.com.
Former NFL fullback Kevin Turner established The Kevin Turner Foundation in October 2010 to raise public awareness of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and to bring attention to the emerging evidence linking brain trauma in athletes and the ALS disease. The nonprofit organization endeavors to raise funds for the study, treatment and cure of this debilitating disease. To learn more or to make a donation, visit www.KevinTurnerFoundation.org.
The ATA was founded in 2000 to provide a vehicle for a diverse group of scientists and clinicians to coordinate research related to ALS. The scientists involved in the ATA are affiliated with some of the best universities and medical centers, including, among others, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard College, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, Boston University and the University of Massachusetts. The ATA’s board is comprised of outstanding clinicians, scientists and business associates including two Nobel Prize Laureates, H. Robert Horvitz, Ph.D. and Craig C. Mello, Ph.D., who are committed to the organization’s mission. CVS/pharmacy is the largest corporate donor to the ALS Therapy Alliance. To learn more, visit www.ALSTherapyAlliance.org.
CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), is America’s leading retail pharmacy with more than 7,200 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drug stores. CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the lives of those we serve by making innovative and high-quality health and pharmacy services safe, affordable and easy to access, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at info www.cvscaremark.com.
FUNL Music recording artist Ty Herndon
Kevin Turner (l) and FUNL Music artist Ty Herndon
