The ALS Therapy Alliance - Researching a Cure
Follow our journey as we blog about the leading-edge research the ALS Therapy Alliance and its partners is conducting. Meet our campaign spokespeople and learn more about how their families are living with the disease and remaining hopeful that a cure will be found. We welcome your comments and feedback!
Last week, our team held a 15 minute teleseminar on ways you can easily help support our 2011 Researching a Cure fundraising campaign happening now through June 25 at CVS/pharmacy locations throughout the country and online at www.CVS.com/ALS.
100% of funds donated through this campaign supports the ALS Therapy Alliance and their ongoing research with scientists and doctors all over the world to find a cure.
How can I help?
Here are the top 16 things you can do to help support the cause and create awareness of this year's fundraising campaign:
- 1. Visit your local CVS/pharmacy and make a donation at the register starting June 5th.
2. Donate online at www.cvs.com/als starting June 6th.
3. Send an email blast to friends and family encouraging them to spread the word and/or make a donation at their local CVS/pharmacy or online – use our interactive PDF located here...>
4. Share tweets on Twitter – we offer samples located here...>
5. Share messages on Facebook - we offer samples located here...>
6. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook and RT and re-share our messages with your followers and friends
7. Put a banner ad on your website, blog or newsletter - we offer 4 sizes to choose from located here...>
8. Print out our informational flyer and pass out or post
9. Share our photos in a story you write for your blog or newsletter or social site
10. Include one of our PSAs on your site
11. Upload our campaign video to your site
12. Call your local radio station to see if they would interview you about your connection to ALS and mention the campaign
13. Call your local TV station and ask if they would share one of our PSAs with their audience
14. Call you local newspaper and share your connection with ALS and ask them to support the campaign by creating awareness with their readers
15. Partner with a CVS/pharmacy in your location to host an event or pass out vendor donations – contact us directly if you would like assistance setting this up
16. Show us how you supported the cause by posting a picture of yourself at your local CVS/pharmacy on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/alstherapyallianceinc
Jonathan Roberts, Executive Vice President and COO for CVS Caremark Pharmacy Services, has been touched by ALS in a number of ways. First, a friend and colleague at CVS, John Finneran, was diagnosed with the disease. Soon after, Roberts’ wife, Resi, was diagnosed with ALS. Her disease progressed rapidly and she passed away in 2003. Since then, other CVS colleagues and a family friend have also been diagnosed.
“I have lots of connections to ALS. Before John Finneran was diagnosed, I knew what ALS was, but didn’t know anyone living with the disease. Now, I wonder if I’m just more aware of it, or if its prevalence is increasing,” said Roberts.
As the father of three children – two boys and a girl – he notes that ALS doesn’t just afflict the patient. It impacts the entire family. Therefore, Roberts, an active member of the ALS Therapy Alliance’s (ATA) board of directors, is working to find a cure.
As Co-Chair of CVS/pharmacy’s annual ALS in-store fundraising initiative, Roberts is proud that the campaign has raised nearly $24 million over the last nine years. The 2011 campaign will run from June 5-25.
“The success of our campaign is a testament to our store employees who support it, and our customers who have generously donated to the cause every year,” Roberts explained. “For every customer and CVS colleague that makes a donation, we’re one dollar closer to curing this devastating disease.”
As part of his role on the ATA board, Roberts reviews research grant proposals, which he calls “a very interesting process.” In addition, he serves on the ALS Association’s board of directors and is a trustee. He is also involved with their Rhode Island chapter, regularly supporting their annual "Evening of Hope" dinner.
Roberts first learned about the great work Dr. Robert Brown was doing when his wife got sick. The Roberts family was living in Atlanta, and local physicians were having difficulty diagnosing Resi. Roberts found Dr. Brown, a leading ALS clinician, and brought Resi to his practice.
In 2002, CVS/pharmacy and the ALS Therapy Alliance collaborated on a small pilot program in New England, raising funds and awareness for ALS. From there, the campaign evolved into an annual, national effort, which continues today, nearly a decade later.
Roberts is a seasoned pharmacy executive with more than 30 years of experience in the field, 21 of those with CVS Caremark. Roberts oversees CVS Caremark’s operations, as well as pharmaceutical purchasing and marketing.
He earned his degree in pharmacy from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, and is a graduate of the Wharton Executive Management Program.
For more information about Mr. Roberts, visit or Directors & Staff page.
