Duane Reade Sponsors NY Komen Race for Cure, Increases Awareness

New Yorkers Help Duane Reade Increase Support of the 19th Annual Komen New York City Race For The Cure(R)

NEW YORK, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Duane Reade Holdings Inc., the largest drug store in metropolitan New York, today announced that, as the Local Presenting Sponsor of the 2009 Komen New York City Race For The Cure, the Company, its customers and its foundation, The Duane Reade Charitable Foundation, have raised $330,000 to increase awareness of breast cancer and to assist in the effort to find a cure. This marks the third year that Duane Reade has proudly sponsored this momentous event, with each successive year showing substantial increases in funds raised.

Duane Reade sold special $1 paper ribbon pinups to benefit the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R) in its 252 stores throughout the New York metropolitan area during the month of August. The promotion raised $200,000, almost doubling last year's donation of $109,000. This will be combined with a contribution of $130,000 from Duane Reade's Charitable Foundation to support the efforts of Komen Greater New York City and the annual Race. The money raised through the Race will be used to help underwrite New York area community-based breast health programs and national peer reviewed research.

"Duane Reade is part of the fabric of life in New York City, and is proud to be the Local Presenting Sponsor of such an important New York City tradition, the Komen New York City Race for the Cure" said John Lederer, CEO of Duane Reade. "We'd like to thank the New York Metro community - our customers - and Duane Reade employees for helping us raise $330,000 toward finding a cure for breast cancer. By nearly doubling their donation dollars this year, New Yorkers have proven yet again the greatness of this city and its ability to come together for a cause."

"We are very grateful to have the generous support of Duane Reade during these difficult economic times," said Dara P. Richardson-Heron, MD, CEO of Komen Greater New York City. "Breast cancer never takes a holiday and we need to do more than ever right now to support our community. We appreciate Duane Reade's commitment to helping us run breast cancer out of town this year. The Company's pinup program will allow us to fund even more local breast health education, screening and treatment programs next year, which is so necessary in light of budget cuts to the State's Cancer Services Program."

The 19th annual Komen New York City Race for The Cure will be held on Sunday, September 13th in Central Park at 9:00 a.m. The event is the signature fundraiser for Komen Greater New York City. Race registration is open at www.komennyc.org.

The Duane Reade Charitable Foundation was formed in March 2007 and is committed to supporting charitable organizations that promote health and wellness in New York's communities.

A portion of the budget is also reserved to support programs that address local community needs.

For more information, visit the Komen Greater NYC website, www.komennyc.org or call 212-293 CURE.

Duane Reade
    Diane Zappas
    Diane.zappas@fd.com
    212-850-5763

SOURCE Duane Reade Inc.