For Immediate Release
October 10, 2001

New York, NY - The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA) is hosting its second annual Lifetime of Caring Gala on Thursday, October 18th at The Plaza Hotel in New York City.

This event was established to celebrate FHA's programs in public education, clinical research and public policy and to honor those who have made a significant contribution toward improving the health and well being of older adults; however, because of the unprecedented impact of the recent terrorist attacks on the City of New York and its citizens, the FHA will modify this year's program to also honor those who lost their lives on September 11th and will present donations to two New York-based charities: $20,000 to Citymeals-on-Wheels and $10,000 to the Twin Towers Fund.

For the past 20 years, Citymeals-on-Wheels has delivered emergency, weekend, and holiday meals to New York City's homebound elderly. Following the World Trade Center attacks, contributions to Citymeals dropped by 50%. The FHA contribution will purchase 4,000 meals for shut-in seniors all over the City.

Established by New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, the Twin Towers Fund provides aid to the families of all uniformed city service workers-firemen, police officers, emergency medical workers, and Port Authority personnel-who lost their lives trying to save others in the burning, crumbling wreckage of the World Trade Center.

In its main program that evening, the FHA will present its Lifetime of Caring Award to Columbia University's Sidney Katz, MD, MA for his profound influence on the core principles and practices of geriatrics and gerontology; its first Discover Award to Johnson & Johnson in recognition of its commitment to research that improves the health of older adults; and its first Impact Award to CVS Corporation in recognition of the company's significant contributions to improving the quality of life for older adults and their caregivers.

Ralph S. Larsen, Chairman & CEO, will accept the Discover Award on behalf of Johnson & Johnson, and Thomas M. Ryan, Chairman, President & CEO, will accept the Impact Award on behalf of CVS Corporation.

This evening will not only celebrate the honorees' commitment to the health of older adults, but also their generous response to the relief efforts following the attacks: Johnson & Johnson has provided $10 million in financial and product aid to meet the needs of those affected by the tragedy; and CVS has donated $50,000 to aid the American Red Cross and is giving preferential treatment when hiring to those who lost jobs as a result of the terrorist attacks.

Cocktail hour begins at 6:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. The corporate awards and FHA grants are being presented between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. The Lifetime of Caring Award will be given at 8:45 p.m.

For Further Information:
Pamela Ingham
(212) 308-1414, ext. 302
Scott Kramer
(212) 308-1414, ext. 329