On December 1, 2010, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) hosted 1,500 7th through 12th grade students for the World AIDS Day “Expressions Against HIV/AIDS” Youth Summit to educate students on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) at the UIC Forum. The event was a partnership between CPS, Walgreens and TrueStar Magazine. The event had performers who not only entertained, but educated students on HIV/AIDS statistics and living with the disease.

Sister Yaa Simpson, Epidemiologist with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) gave compelling HIV/AIDS statistics for Chicago, so the students could see the local impact of the disease. Those she shared included:

• There are 26,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Chicago
• The ethnic breakdown of those infected is: 53% Black, 27% White, 17% Hispanic
• Among youth (13-24) in Chicago, there are 3,240 living w/ HIV. 78% are male. And 45% of those are men who have sex with men (MSM)
• There were 49,000 cases of STIs among youths in Chicago. The top 5 neighborhoods affected are: Austin, Lakeview, Uptown, South Shore, Edgewater

It was really a great start to an event that included performers such as Verbal Kwest rap group, the After School Matters acting ensemble, and motivational speaker and HIV/AIDS activist David Robertson.

In addition to that, the finalists and winners of Walgreens’ 5th Annual Expressions Against HIV/AIDS Art and Essay Contest were announced.

Wayman Smith (L), Walgreens Store Manager and Community Leader joins Rafael Malpica, Walgreens’ Manager, Community Affairs (far right) as they award 13 talented Chicago Public School students in the Expressions Against HIV/AIDS Art & Essay Challenge in recognition of World AIDS Day.

Congrats to the winners! They were:

Essay category: Shaquille Roberts, Junior (Hyde Park High School)
Poetry/Rap Category: Chanel Strain, Senior (Innovations High School)
Art Category: Hector Banuelos, Senior (Foreman High School)
Music Video Category: Idris Pedro, Brittany Hardaway, Hannah Neely, Chara Agnew, Kira Boeman (Dunbar High School)

Many thanks to Chicago Public Schools, Walgreens, and TrueStar Magazine for this great event! For more pictures from the event, please view the slideshow below!

DEERFIELD, Ill., Nov. 30, 2010 – Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG) is marking World AIDS Day with an increased commitment to HIV/AIDS outreach, education and accessibility by partnering with Greater Than AIDS, a national movement that brings together the public and private sectors in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States.

On Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, Walgreens will kick off its collaboration with Greater Than AIDS by streaming HIV messaging on the Walgreens digital board that rises 341 feet above midtown Manhattan in New York’s Times Square. In addition, more than 200 Walgreens drugstores in heavily-affected communities across America are debuting new signage and informational materials that carry a Greater Than AIDS message. All materials encourage customers to learn more about HIV and ways they can be Greater than AIDS by going to www.greaterthan.org/walgreens.

In June 2011, Walgreens will team up with Greater Than AIDS to support “HIV Take Action” Month with special promotions, and participating Walgreens pharmacies will offer in-store services – including HIV testing. And throughout the year, Walgreens digital billboards in Times Square and Las Vegas will post photos submitted by every day Americans that celebrate personal “deciding moments” in response to HIV/AIDS.
“Pharmacists are some of the most trusted health care professionals in the nation,” said Walgreens president of pharmacy services Kermit Crawford. “It’s our job to not only provide information about medication options but to also listen to patient needs. Our pharmacy staff will help play a large role in our effort with Greater Than AIDS to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, especially among African Americans and other disproportionately affected groups.”

“What is particularly powerful about the partnership between Greater Than AIDS and Walgreens is that it brings HIV information to people where they live, along with other health issues,” said Drew Altman, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Kaiser Family Foundation, which provides direction to Greater Than AIDS.. “Walgreens is setting a powerful example of corporate leadership by putting its brand and vast retail footprint behind an issue of such public health importance.”

More than 800 Walgreens pharmacists at retail and medical facility locations across the country and call centers are specially trained to help patients living with HIV/AIDS. Over the next year, Walgreens plans to add another 150 locations that offer special HIV/AIDS services. Online, patients can find more HIV/AIDS information regarding treatment, medications and support services at HIV.walgreens.com.

Last May, Walgreens joined the Global Business Coalition (GBC) on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, bringing its experience as a trusted pharmacy, health and wellness provider to the leading business movement on global health. GBC brings together businesses across various sectors to help fight global epidemics. As a resource for those impacted by HIV/AIDS, Walgreens is actively driving awareness around medication adherence, sensitivity and support through local outreach from its network of more than 7,600 community pharmacies and partnerships with local organizations across the country.

About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2010 sales of $67 billion. The company operates 7,608 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 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 pharmacy benefit solutions and 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. Walgreens Take Care Health Systems subsidiary is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

About Greater Than AIDS
Greater Than AIDS (www.greaterthan.org) is an unprecedented collaboration among a broad coalition of public and private sector partners united in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States, in particular among Black Americans and other disproportionately affected groups. Through a national media campaign and targeted community outreach, Greater Than AIDS aims to increase knowledge and understanding about HIV/AIDS and confront the stigma surrounding the disease.

Media Contact: Martina Smith
Office Phone: (312) 588-3361
Mobile Phone: (708) 250-1702
Email: Msmith@GoldStarC.com

After School Matters acting ensemble to perform compelling awareness skit entitled “What Would You Do?”

CHICAGO – December 1, 2010 – Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to host 1,500 seventh through 12th grade students for a World AIDS Day 2010 Teen Summit to educate students on the HIV and AIDS epidemic and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, Ill., on Wednesday, December 1, from 9:55 AM to 12:30 PM.

The CPS teen summit is a platform to educate students on the realities of the HIV and AIDS and other STIs through a series of expert teaching sessions, informative skits and personal testimonials. Speakers and panelists will include: Chicago Department of Public Health STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Manager Yaa Simpson; Pediatric of Adolescent Medicine Dr. Margo Bell; HIV Advocates David Robertson and Joe Imbert, who also represents the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. In addition, the After School Matters acting ensemble will perform a captivating vignette entitled “What Would You Do?”, following a performance by local entertainer Verbal Kwest. Experts and advocates will come together to use this summit as an open forum to discuss the epidemic with students. The aim of the summit is to arm students with the facts to combat the spread of HIV and AIDS and other STIs.

According to the Chicago Department of Public Health, youth between 13 and 24 years of age represent 22 percent of the newly diagnosed HIV cases in Chicago, as reported in 2008. Ten to 19 year olds accounted for 11,633 of the reported cases for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in Chicago.

In addition to the teen summit, CPS partners with Walgreens and TrueStar Magazine annually to engage students in the HIV/AIDS discussion through the Expressions Against HIV/AIDS Awareness Art & Literacy Contest, which concluded on November 14. The Expressions finalists will be announced prior to the conclusion of the “summit”.

Expressions is an annual initiative focused on motivating teens 13 to 18 to creatively express their views on HIV/AIDS and other STIs. The Expressions Contest runs from September to November each year.

About CPS
Chicago Public Schools serves approximately 410,000 students in more than 670 schools. It is the nation’s third-largest school district.

About Walgreens
Walgreens is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2009 sales of $63.3 billion. The company operates 7,042 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Walgreens provides the most convenient access to consumer goods and services and cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services in America through its retail drugstores, Walgreens Health Services division and Walgreens Health and Wellness division. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc., Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC and SeniorMed LLC (a pharmacy provider to long-term care facilities). Walgreens Health and Wellness Division includes: Take Care Health Systems, 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 TrueStar Magazine
True Star Foundation strives to be a leader in youth programming by exposing teens to a diverse range of learning environments beneficial to their advancement and community. The foundation has three student operated and targeted multimedia programs: True Star magazine, the True Star blog site and True Star Radio show on Power 92, a top rated Crawford Broadcast radio station. Each program is designed to promote literacy and entrepreneurialism; cultivate professional and life skills; reduce youth delinquency rates by providing quality resources, training, and encouragement to inspire youth to recognize their full potential and pursue their dreams.

There are tons of events going on in Chicago to commemorate World AIDS Day. View the WORLD AIDS Day events calendar.

Increasing awareness of sexually transmitted infections (STI) including HIV is a key to stopping the spread STI. Everyone is encouraged to access one of our clinics for free condoms, free counseling, testing, and treatment.

CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH STI CLINICS

For general CDPH information, please call 312-747-9884.

Roseland Clinic                                  200 E. 115th St.             312-747-2817

South Austin Clinic                           4958 W. Madison           312-746-4871

Uptown Clinic                                    845 W. Wilson               312-744-1935

Lakeview Clinic                                 2861 N. Clark                 312-744-5507

Englewood Clinic                               641 W. 63rd                  312-747-8900

West Town Clinic                              2418 W. Division           312-744-5464

To find out locations to get tested nationwide, type in your zip code in the widget provided by AIDS.gov below.

Get tested!

Currently, 24 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. At this rate one of every three children born today will become diabetic in their lifetime. Another 57 million Americans are pre-diabetic and are at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.  That is why the American Diabetes Association’s has developed the “Stop Diabetes” campaign. The campaign’s goal is to rally millions of Americans in the fight against diabetes, as well as proactively guard their health to prevent it.

It’s slogan of “Share. Act. Learn. Give.” encourages Americans to become part of the movement to curb a disease that is the leading cause of kidney failure in the U.S. as well as the leading cause of new cases of adult blindness.

Share – Upload a 30 second video online to show your support for the fight against diabetes.

Act - Visit stopdiabetes.com, or call 1-800-DIABETES. You can also text JOIN to 69866. You can also request a free copy of the Top Five Ways to Stop Diabetes and Get Healthy Right Now! by calling 1-800-DIABETES

Learn - Arm yourself with knowledge about diabetes in order to be empowered against it.

Give – Dedicate and donate time and money to your local American Diabetes office or by stopdiabetes.com to learn more about how you can help.

Diabetes is one of the most deadly chronic illnesses affecting Americans today. You can join the movement to stop it.  For more information, visit the American Diabetes Association’s website, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter.

DEERFIELD, Ill., November 08, 2010 – Walgreens (NYSE: WAG)(NASDAQ: WAG) today announced the opening of the nation’s first drugstore chain location to utilize geothermal energy for heating and cooling. The location, in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park, Ill., is expected to reduce its energy usage by about 46 percent as a result of the geothermal system.

“This is the most innovative and sustainable Walgreens yet and we are proud to showcase our commitment to the environment here in Oak Park,” said Walgreens vice president of facilities development Tom Connolly. “We are always looking for new and creative ways to reduce our carbon footprint. After considering the use of geothermal, we have now made it a reality.”

Last year, The Village of Oak Park passed an ordinance requiring any retailer that wants to build a commercial property within its village limits to investigate geothermal energy. The ordinance is one of the ways Oak Park actively includes residents and retailers in its mission to be a clean, green and sustainable community.

Walgreens worked on its Oak Park location with Evanston, Ill.-based Indie Energy, which specializes in designing and installing geothermal systems. The company’s Smart GeothermalTM technology system significantly cuts heating and cooling costs and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Walgreens adoption of Indie Energy Smart Geothermal technology places it at the forefront of national retailers when it comes to extreme energy efficiency,” said Indie Energy Chief Executive Officer Daniel Cheifetz. “This store provides online, real-time proof of carbon and cost savings, making it a leading example of sustainability.”

The Oak Park Walgreens geothermal system harnesses the earth’s heat utilizing a network of four closed-loop boreholes installed to depths of 650 feet, and a heat exchange system with the building that is controlled by Indie Energy EnergyLoopTM technology. A water-based heat transfer liquid exchanges heating and cooling energy with the earth, which provides a constant temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Inside the store, the geothermal heat pump and refrigeration systems pull heating energy from the fluid, or reject heat to the fluid to cool. The EnergyLoopTM system monitors and optimizes this exchange in real-time to provide the maximum energy efficiency.

Connolly said, “This type of system can work anywhere, but makes a lot of sense here in the Midwest. The ability to heat to room-temperature from 55 degrees, rather than from 10 degrees or cool it from 98 degrees will save a lot of energy.”

Not only does this sustainable energy alternative reduce the store’s carbon footprint, it also cuts down on heating and cooling costs. The energy saved at this location alone is equivalent to removing nine cars from the road or planting 43 acres of trees.

An informational kiosk at the store will show customers energy usage and savings from the geothermal system in real-time. The store was also built with other green features:
The store uses a dimming system for sales floor lighting when natural sunlight is able to brighten most of the sales floor.

Polished concrete floors made from recycled content eliminates use of vinyl flooring and will save on maintenance LED lights are used throughout the store in coolers and in ceiling accent lighting.
Lavatory sinks are made entirely from recycled content, and hand dryers are powered by lights within the lavatory.

About Walgreens

Walgreens is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2010 sales of $67 billion. The company operates 7,608 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 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, long- term care and mail service, along with pharmacy benefit solutions and 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. Walgreens Take Care Health Systems subsidiary is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

About Indie Energy

Indie Energy is a leader in smart geothermal technology for heating and cooling buildings. Indie Energy Smart Geothermal™ technology enables payback periods of under five years while delivering extreme energy efficiencies through real-time adaptive controls.

DEERFIELD, Ill., November 04, 2010 – Walgreens (NYSE: WAG)(NASDAQ: WAG), the nation’s largest drugstore chain with more than 70,000 health care service providers, will offer free blood glucose and A1C testing at more than 1,700 stores and Take Care Clinics nationwide Nov. 12 and 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The free diabetes health testing events, held in conjunction with American Diabetes Month®, are offered at most 24-hour Walgreens stores and Take Care Clinic locations throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Over the past two decades, the number of Americans living with diabetes has more than quadrupled to an estimated 24 million, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But the percentage of those with diabetes who are unaware they’re living with the disease has fallen, the CDC says, showing greater national diabetes awareness. Still, with more than 5 million Americans with diabetes that are currently undiagnosed, there’s a strong need for affordable and accessible resources for early detection and prevention.

Walgreens and Take Care Clinics conducted free blood glucose testing in November 2009 as well as last February. More than 200,000 people were tested during these prior events, with more than 25 percent testing at-risk for diabetes.

“Walgreens recognizes the need to further heighten diabetes awareness, and by offering free testing in thousands of communities nationwide, we’re providing a valuable health care resource that may save lives,” said Kermit Crawford, Walgreens president of pharmacy services. “Through these events and through interaction with our pharmacists and Take Care Clinic nurse practitioners and physician assistants, we’re providing the tools and information to improve the lives of those at risk for or affected by diabetes.”

Each participating Walgreens will host an eight-hour walk-in clinic offering a free blood glucose test, or, in most states, for individuals diagnosed with diabetes, a free A1C test. Walgreens pharmacists and Take Care Clinic nurse practitioners and physician assistants are available for patient consultations. In most locations, they will also administer the tests.

For more information and to find the nearest event, visit Walgreens and Find A Store or call 1-877-W-and-You (1-877-926-3968).

As part of American Diabetes Month®, Walgreens will make a $100,000 donation to the American Diabetes Association. Last month, a new report from the CDC projected that one-third of Americans could have Type 2 diabetes by 2050 if current trends continue. Nearly 24 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes, and an additional 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes, according to the CDC. Visit Walgreens’ Diabetes info page for the latest news and information on diabetes prevention and management, plus tips, recipes and more to help people living with diabetes lead healthier, fuller lives.

About Walgreens

Walgreens is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2010 sales of $67 billion. The company operates 7,580 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 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, long-term care and mail service, along with pharmacy benefit solutions and 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. Walgreens Take Care Health Systems subsidiary is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

EVERY 10 MINUTES, 12 WOMEN IN THIS COUNTRY UNDERGO A HYSTERECTOMY, MOST UNECESSARILY*

Interventional Radiologists announce Fibroid Embolization can help stem tide of unnecessary hysterectomies; gets women back to their lives sooner

WHO: Dr. Martha Grace Knuttinen, Interventional Radiologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago Medical Center:
Dr. Derrick West, Interventional Radiologist, Advocate South Suburban Hospital

WHAT: Press Conference to educate the public on a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure to treat fibroids, avoid hysterectomies.

WHEN: Tuesday, June 22, 2010; 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (Refreshments served)

WHERE: 150 N. Michigan Ave., 28th Flr.; Chicago, IL. 60601

WHY: According to the National Uterine Fibroid Foundation there are 12 hysterectomies performed every 10 minutes, and nine of them will not meet the standards set by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.* Over $5 billion annually is spent on the procedure alone without consideration to the time loss from work and other activities. For every 10,000 hysterectomies performed, 11 women die and approximately 660 women die each year in the United States from complications of hysterectomy. Hysterectomy has been the preferred treatment for fibroids. It is estimated that over 50% of all women will develop uterine fibroids. African American women are at a significantly higher risk for uterine fibroids with an estimated incidence of up to 80%. One in four will experience symptoms including heavy bleeding, painful periods, pelvic pressure, frequent urination, pain during intercourse and lower back pain. While some women do not experience any of the symptoms of fibroids, the location and size of fibroid tumors can cause symptoms that can dramatically affect a woman’s quality of life.

This press conference is to educate the public on the minimally invasive treatment for fibroid tumors using bio-engineered microspheres in a procedure called Uterine Fibroid Embolization or UFE. Uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that grow on or within the muscle tissue of the uterus. Millions of women suffer with symptomatic uterine fibroids.

The UFE procedure typically takes less than an hour and requires only a small incision. UFE blocks the blood supply to the uterine fibroids, causing them to shrink. As one of the alternatives to hysterectomy, UFE is clinically proven to reduce the major symptoms of uterine fibroids. UFE is performed by an Interventional Radiologist, a medical doctor specially trained in minimally invasive and image guided procedures.

PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Martha Grace Knuttinen, Interventional Radiologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago Medical Center; Dr. Derrick West, Interventional Radiologist Advocate South Suburban Hospital and UFE patients who previously suffered from fibroids.

“Women are suffering in silence and are not getting information on this minimally invasive treatment that can significantly improve the quality of their lives and have them back on
their feet within days, not weeks to months as with a traditional hysterectomy,” said Patricia Andrews-Keenan of GoldStar Communications.

For more information on the UFE procedure visit the Ask 4 UFE website.

Contact: P. Andrews-Keenan
312-206-2821
PKeenan@goldstarC.com

CPS, WALGREENS UNVEILED THE “STOP. THINK. WAIT.” POSTER CAMPAIGN URGING STUDENTS TO THINK BEFORE ENGAGING IN UNPROTECTED SEX
CPS Juniors Ronald Johnson, Shamaine Pryor made a desperate appeal to peers to not become another statistic

Left to right: Latanza Boarden, Vice Principal of Corliss High School; William Gerstein, Principal of Austin Polytechnical Academy; Ronald Johnson, Junior at Corliss High School; John Gremer, Director of Community Affairs- Walgreens; Shamaine Pryor, Junior at Austin Polytechnical Academy; Pete Subkoviak, Policy Associate at the AIDS Foundation Chicago and Ira Rounsaville, Chicago Public Schools.

CHICAGO (Friday, May 14, 2010) – Walgreens joined Chicago Public Schools office of specialized services today to unveil a special health campaign to promote sexually responsible behavior among students to coincide with the start of prom season. Corliss High School Junior Ronald Johnson utilized his gift as a graphic artist to creatively intermingle the compelling facts of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and AIDS, in his self-photographed work entitled “Come Close.” Shamaine Pryor urged her fellow peers to “not feel pressured around prom [to have sex] because the decision is up to you,” just before unveiling the “Stop. Think. Wait” poster with Gremer and Rounsaville. According to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation study, 50% of teenagers felt pressured to have sex during prom season. The Chicago Department of Public Health reports that Chicago ranks #1in the country in cases of gonorrhea among youth, 13-24. The poster campaign will be displayed in every Chicago Public High School as well as in select Walgreens. Walgreens and CPS are long-standing partners in combating the spread of STIs among high school students.