Nation's largest specialty retailer of nutritional supplements nearly doubles last year's total; money raised will support medical research and care for patients and families
PITTSBURGH // PRNewswire // -- GNC sells products to help health-conscious consumers Live Well, but its customers and employees have once again put their money on the table to help a very special group of consumers: children battling cancer and other catastrophic diseases at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Because of their generous participation in the sixth annual Thanks and Giving® campaign, GNC was able to donate more than $1.4 million – well above last year's $800,000 – and joins other partnering companies such as Kmart, CVS, Dick's Sporting Goods, Ann Taylor, Kay Jewelers, Domino's Pizza, New York & Co., Dollar General and Williams-Sonoma that also contributed over $1 million in a year to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
"Once again, we give enormous thanks to our wonderful customers and employees for their support of this critical mission," said Tom Dowd, Executive Vice President, Store Operations & Development. "Helping St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is one of the best ways that all of us can do something important to help children who suffer from cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases. We also would like to thank MISSION Skincare® Super-C™ lip balm, who donated $1 from each lip balm sold during this crucial fundraising event. These funds are vital to supporting St. Jude. I am so proud that our store team crushed last year's donations and really want to thank our amazing customers as well."
"We are incredibly proud to have GNC join that special group of partners including Kmart, CVS, Dick's Sporting Goods and others who've raised more than $1 million for the kids of St. Jude during this year's Thanks and Giving campaign," said Marlo Thomas, National Outreach Director. "Throughout the holiday season, supporters across the country gave generously to St. Jude in support of our lifesaving work. And they did so during tough economic times. That couldn't have happened without GNC customers and employees," she added. "By sharing the St. Jude story, GNC encouraged their customers to join our fight of finding cures and saving children. Your support helps ensure that our research never stops and enables our doctors and scientists to continue to provide world-class care to children and ongoing support for their families."
About St. Jude
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization.
About GNC
GNC, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., a leading global specialty retailer of nutritional products including vitamin, mineral, herbal and other specialty supplements and sports nutrition, diet and energy products. As of September 30, 2009, GNC has more than 6,700 locations, of which more than 5,300 retail locations were in the United States (including 919 franchise and 1,814 Rite Aid franchise store-within-a-store locations) and franchise operations in 47 international markets.
SOURCE GNC
###
