CHICAGO — For the second consecutive November, CVS Health and the Alzheimer’s Association will join together for an in-store fundraising campaign aimed at fighting Alzheimer’s disease – a disease impacting more than 5 million Americans and 16 million caregivers across the country. The campaign is part of a three-year, $10 million commitment from CVS Health to the Alzheimer’s Association. This year’s campaign will highlight the vulnerability of people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for all our customers, but families impacted by Alzheimer’s have been particularly vulnerable,” said Eileen Howard Boone, SVP of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy, CVS Health. “This campaign will support Alzheimer’s Association care and support programs, including online and virtual programs, to help these families during the current pandemic and beyond.”

While Alzheimer’s and other dementia do not seem to increase the risk of COVID-19, dementia-related behaviors, increased age and common health conditions that often accompany dementia may increase risk of contracting COVID-19 and other illnesses. In addition, Alzheimer’s caregivers may be at additional risk because many social distancing protocols are not possible due to the intensive, hands-on care needed by people living with the disease.

“Since the pandemic, the Alzheimer’s Association has been committed to expanding our virtual resources for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers, while also educating the public about the unique challenges facing these caregivers,” said Donna McCullough, chief field and development officer, Alzheimer’s Association. “Joining forces with a respected health leader like CVS Health will give even greater visibility to these efforts and enable us to continue to support families affected by Alzheimer’s during this critical time.”

The in-store fundraising campaign launched November 1 at CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide. During the campaign CVS Pharmacy customers will have the opportunity to contribute to the Alzheimer’s Association by rounding up the change on purchases to the next dollar. November is also National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month, making it a critical time to support the cause.

Throughout the month, the Alzheimer’s Association and CVS Health will share tips and resources to help caregivers navigate COVID-19, as well as general information to address caregiver stress. Currently, more than 16 million family members and friends are serving as Alzheimer’s caregivers. Nearly half of all caregivers (48 percent) who provide help to older adults do so for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.

In conjunction with the partnership, CVS Health is also serving as a national presenting sponsor of the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which takes place in more than 600 communities across the country each year.