Fred’s makes $38K donation to American Heart Association

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred’s Pharmacy’s heart disease and colorectal cancer awareness campaigns culminated in the Memphis-based retailer making a $38,244 donation to the American Heart Association earlier this month, bringing the total donated over the last four years to $130,703.

"More than 11% of adults are diagnosed with heart disease every year," said Fred’s EVP and COO healthcare, Tim Leibmann. "When it comes to colon cancer, incidence and death rates are higher than the national average in many of our geographic markets. We're proud to bring much needed awareness of these diseases to our local communities by providing information, free blood pressure screenings and free at-home colon cancer screening kits for our customers."

Each year, more than 27 million Americans are diagnosed with heart disease. Recognizing the importance of early detection, Fred’s offers free blood pressure screenings every day. Since February 2014, the retailer has partnered with the American Heart Association for American Heart Month, donating $1 to the AHA for each blood pressure screening given at pharmacy locations during the month.

Another deadly disease, colorectal cancer, is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States for cancers affecting both men and women. For the fifth consecutive year, Fred’s recognized March as Colon Cancer Awareness Month by giving away free at-home EZ Detect screening kits that can detect signs of colon cancer and rectal cancer in the early stages, when they are most treatable. Fred’s partnered with media outlets to get the word out about the free kits. By the end of the month-long campaign, 60,000 Fred’s customers had received screening kits.

Fred’s operates 601 pharmacy and general merchandise stores and three specialty pharmacy-only locations, including 14 franchised Fred’s locations.