CVS/pharmacy to Partner with Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital on Autism Education

$50,000 gift to fund Autism Spectrum Disorders Educational Series for Bay Area parents

STANFORD, Calif. – CVS/pharmacy® has made a $50,000 gift to the Stanford Autism Center at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital to fund a 10-part educational series for Bay Area parents of young children newly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The series, taught in English and Spanish, is designed to provide information to parents about ASD diagnoses, treatment, and services. The partnership between CVS/pharmacy and Packard Children’s Hospital will improve the health and well-being of children and families who face extraordinary challenges, yet are determined to live life to the fullest.

“Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder have enormous needs to learn about their children’s conditions, current treatment options, and how to negotiate very complex systems of care,” explains Carl Feinstein, M.D., the Endowed Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Packard Children’s and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine. “These educational series are supportive and empowering to those parents. This generous support from CVS/pharmacy ensures that we can offer this important resource to the community.”

“CVS/pharmacy is committed to helping children with disabilities learn, play, and succeed in life,” said Rick Ford, area vice president, Northern California, CVS/pharmacy. “Through this grant, we are proud to be able to help make an impact on the lives of children in Bay area communities.”

The 10-part series will begin on January 14, 2010. Parents may register or find more information at http://childpsychiatry.stanford.edu/ASD.html.

Autism spectrum disorders encompass a family of neurological conditions, which range from severe autism, where the patient might not speak or show affection, to Asperger’s syndrome, a milder disorder where the child is socially awkward and displays abnormal or repetitive behavior. Autism spectrum disorders affect about 1 in 150 children in the U.S., a higher incidence rate than childhood cancers, juvenile diabetes, and Down syndrome combined.

Stanford is well-known for its leadership in autism research. The University’s Autism Working Group is a collaboration powerhouse of 30 clinicians, geneticists, neuroscientists, cell biologists, and bioengineers dedicated to finding the neurological and biological causes of autism spectrum disorders. On May 15, 2010, the Autism Center will host its third annual Autism Spectrum Disorder Update, a day-long symposium that is open to the community.

About CVS/pharmacy

CVS/pharmacy® is the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS). The Company operates more than 7,000 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drugs stores. CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the lives of those we serve by making innovative and high-quality health and pharmacy services safe, affordable and easy to access, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at www.cvscaremark.com.

About Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital

Ranked as one of the nation’s best pediatric hospitals by U.S.News & World Report, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford is a 312-bed hospital devoted to the care of children and expectant mothers. Providing pediatric and obstetric medical and surgical services and associated with the Stanford University School of Medicine, Packard Children’s offers patients locally, regionally and nationally the full range of health care programs and services, from preventive and routine care to the diagnosis and treatment of serious illness and injury. For more information, visit www.lpch.org.