Bracelets on sale now at all Walgreens and Duane Reade stores -- $2 from each purchase benefits the Magic Johnson Foundation

Walgreens and the Magic Johnson Foundation today announced a national campaign to address the health, educational and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities. Walgreens is now selling a commemorative charity bracelet at all of its more than 7,800 stores, including all Duane Reade locations in New York and New Jersey, with $2 from each purchase benefitting the Magic Johnson Foundation.

The black cord bracelets feature a small rectangular zinc alloy design featuring healthy words of inspiration. They are only available at Walgreens and Duane Reade stores while supplies last.

The relationship was formed through Walgreens participation Sunday in The Celebrity Apprentice on NBC, where the “task” for celebrity contestants centered around the award-winning national Walk with Walgreens program and health movement. The winning celebrity team was led by Arsenio Hall, who had selected the Magic Johnson Foundation as his charity of choice to receive the $20,000 donation through the show. Walgreens provided an additional $30,000 donation and recognized an opportunity to work with the Foundation to develop a larger, ongoing initiative to heighten awareness for its cause.

“The Celebrity Apprentice provided a great platform for us to engage celebrities and a national TV audience in Walk with Walgreens, and we’re proud to be working with the Magic Johnson Foundation to help make an impact in many of the same communities that rely on our drugstores and Walgreens pharmacy, health and wellness services every day,” said Joe Magnacca, Walgreens president of daily living products and solutions.

The Magic Johnson Foundation, founded by Earvin “Magic” Johnson in 1991, works to develop programs and support community-based organizations that address the educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities. Since its inception in 1991, the Magic Johnson Foundation has had a significant impact toward positively changing the face of urban, minority communities.

“Walgreens has been truly amazing in supporting the Magic Johnson Foundation. Both Arsenio Hall and the Celebrity Apprentice teams have displayed such enthusiasm and passion for organizations that focus on giving back. We could not have asked for a better platform to spread the word about prevention and empowerment,” said Amelia Williamson, president of the Magic Johnson Foundation.

Walgreens, Foundation Share Common Goals for HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention

Walgreens and the Magic Johnson Foundation share another common goal in raising awareness for HIV/AIDS and providing treatment and prevention resources for those impacted by the disease.

Walgreens has certified more than 500 of its pharmacies as HIV Centers of Excellence in communities highly-impacted by HIV, as identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These pharmacies are staffed with specially-trained pharmacists who work closely with patients to offer guidance and support with medication therapies, provide refill reminders and also help identify financial support programs.

HIV/AIDS is one of the three strategic priorities of the Magic Johnson Foundation. The Foundation has helped establish treatment centers in economically challenged minority communities, developed a community grants program and also provides a series of free testing events during the course of the year.

About Walgreens

As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2011 sales of $72 billion, Walgreens ( www.walgreens.com ) vision is to become America’s first choice for health and daily living. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The company operates 7,840 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

About Magic Johnson Foundation

Since 1991, the Magic Johnson Foundation (MJF) has served and enriched urban communities nationwide. MJF has evolved from an HIV grant-making organization to one that advocates community-based organizations and supports educational empowerment through HIV/AIDS awareness & prevention programs, minority college access through the Taylor Michael's Scholarship Program, and digital literacy through 18 Community Empowerment Centers.

SOURCE: Walgreens