December 9, 2008 - Media Release

Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre and
Shoppers Drug Mart® harvest funds
for local community programs and services

Shown presenting Tree of Life proceeds to David Wood, Chair of the Cumberland Health Care Foundation are Kathy Lusby, Tree of Life Team Captain (left) and Anne-Marie Mackintosh (Centre), Associate Owner of Shoppers Drug Mart in Amherst.

AMHERST, NS (December 9th, 2008) – Thanks to the generosity of Shoppers Drug Mart customers and employees in Amherst, more than $2000.000 has been raised for the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre through this years Tree of LifeTM fundraising campaign.

During the month of October, over 1,090 Shoppers Drug Mart / Pharmaprix stores across the country have been participating in the seventh annual Tree of Life campaign benefitting over 300 local health charities. Since its inception, the campaign has raised over $9 million helping to improve the quality of life for Canadians. In Amherst, 100% of the preceeds raised by Shoppers Drug Mart customers and employees will go directly to the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre.

The Cumberland Health Care Foundation, which is the main charitable arm of the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, was on hand to receive the donation on behalf of the regional hospital. “We’re extremely pleased, and honored, to be this year’s recipient." said David Wood, Chair of the Cumberland Health Care Foundation. “These funds will go toward this year's Light the Way Campaign, which will support the purchase of essential pieces of equipment such as 3 new electrocardiogram machines”.

The Foundation’s equipment fund helps to provide much needed pieces of medical equipment each year for different departments at the regional acute care centre for northern Nova Scotia. An ECG is a painless, harmless device that is used everyday to correctly diagnose an irregular heartbeat and other cardiac abnormalities. The regional acute care centre performed 7,381 ECGs in the last year.

“The amazing results of this year’s campaign would not have been possible without the generosity and commitment of our customers, staff and local businesses,” said Anne-Marie Mackintosh. “Shoppers Drug Mart is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Canadians by promoting health and wellness through the services and consultation we offer and by giving back to community-based health initiatives. This year, we’ve selected the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre and are pleased to present to the Cumberland Health Care Foundation on their behalf the proceeds from our Tree of Life campaign.”

“We’d also like to extend a special thanks to other local companies who supported the campaign,” said Tree of Life Team Captain Kathy Lusby, “specifically C-Vision, Tantramar Chev Olds, Pizza Delight and the Amherst Veterinarian Clinic for their support of this year’s campaign. They definitely helped make it a success this year!”

The Shoppers Drug Mart Tree of Life fundraising campaign is a four-week program held across Canada each autumn. Customers, staff and Pharmacist-Owners at over 1,090 Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix stores raise funds for a local health charity by purchasing a paper leaf, maple leaf or apple for the Tree of Life. Since 2002, the Tree of Life campaign has raised $9 million for Canadian health charities. This year alone, over 300 health charities across Canada will benefit from the proceeds. Shoppers Drug Mart stores are owned by local pharmacists who live, work and give back to the communities they serve.

Contact:
• Joe Gauthier, Managing Director, CHCF, (902) 667-5400 ext. 6126
• Anne-Marie Mackintosh, Associate Owner, Shoppers Drug Mart Amherst, (902) 667-5861 ext 331

About the Cumberland Health Care Foundation
The Cumberland Health Care Foundation is a registered Canadian not-for-profit charity dedicated to enhancing the provision of a high standard of health care within Cumberland County by raising funds and supporting new and improved services, programs, equipment and facilities.

About Shoppers Drug Mart
Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation is one of the most recognized and trusted names in Canadian retailing. The Company is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Quebec). With more than 1,090 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores operating in prime locations in each province and two territories, the Company is one of the most convenient retailers in Canada. The Company also licenses or owns more than 15 medical clinic pharamacies operating under the name Shoppers Simply Pharmacy (Pharmaprix Simplement Sante in Quebec). As well, the Company owns and operates 65 Shoppers Home Health Care stores, making it the largest Canadian retailer of home health care products and services. In addition to its retail store network, the Company owns Shoppers Drug Mart Specialty Health Network Inc., a provided of specialty drug distribution, pharmacy and comprehensive patient support services, and MediSystem Technologies Inc., a provider of pharmaceutical products and services to long-term care facilities in Ontario and Alberta.