Erickson Creates Formal Partnerships with Three National Charities

Erickson Retirement Communities has created formal partnerships with three national charitable organizations - the Alzheimer's Association, American Diabetes Association, and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Erickson is now launching multi-faceted internal communications campaign to inform its 35,000 residents and staff about these three "mission partners," and to garner volunteer and charitable support. In addition, Erickson will hold fundraising events on a regular basis to support these organizations. The mission partners were selected based on existing relationships with Erickson residents and staff, and the potential for future collaborative projects.

"Earlier this year, when we started looking at charitable organizations that Erickson could partner with on a national level, the Alzheimer's Association, American Diabetes Association, and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation rose to the top," said Erickson Retirement Communities Chairman and CEO John Erickson. "People who live and work in Erickson communities nationwide have a history of supporting these three groups through board membership, volunteerism, donations, and participation in fundraising events."

He continued, "Erickson as a company is now more dedicated than ever to engaging our residents and employees in supporting the missions of these groups and supporting their work to improve the lives of all people affected by Alzheimer's, diabetes, and breast cancer."

The Alzheimer's Association

"Erickson's work with the Alzheimer's Association has already had tremendous impact on the quality of lives of thousands of people who have been affected by this condition," says Mark McElwee, vice president of Renaissance Gardens operations for Erickson and a member of the Alzheimer's Association Central Maryland Board.

Erickson residents and staff across the U.S. already support the Alzheimer's Association through their local Memory Walk and Memory Ball events, and Erickson executives have a long history of serving in board leadership positions for the Alzheimer's Association across the country. Erickson's past support has also included holding fundraisers and sponsoring the organization's board meetings in Erickson communities. One collaborative project Erickson and the Alzheimer's Association are pursuing through their new partnership is the creation of a first-of-its-kind graduate certificate in Alzheimer's care management at The Erickson School at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

As many as 5.2 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's today, and it's estimated that 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer's in their lifetime.

American Diabetes Association (ADA)

"Becoming mission partners is a way for Erickson to further engage our employees and residents in supporting ADA's mission to find a cure for diabetes," said Bruce Sturm, senior vice president of the Erickson Advantage health plan and vice chairman of the American Diabetes Association Maryland board.

Erickson has traditionally had a strong presence in Step Out to Fight Diabetes events and has sponsored health and fitness festivals aimed at educating people about diabetes. Through the newly formed partnership, ADA is working with Erickson campuses to sponsor healthy eating and healthy lifestyle initiatives for residents and staff. They are also looking to work with NorthBay, the Erickson Foundation's environmental education center for middle school students, to create a program to prevent youth obesity.

There are 23.6 million children and adults in the United States living with diabetes and 57 million Americans with pre-diabetes.

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

"Erickson residents and staff have participated in the Race for the Cure all across the country," said Joe Harsel, Erickson's director of corporate social responsibility. "We have contributed countless hours of in-kind services towards this largely grassroots organization."

Moving forward, each Erickson campus is further mobilizing residents, staff, and resources to support their local Komen chapter's events and offer health awareness education opportunities.

An estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States during 2008. An estimated 40,480 women will die from breast cancer, and it's estimated that 1,990 men will be diagnosed with and 450 men will die from breast cancer this year.

About Erickson Retirement Communities: Erickson Retirement Communities is one of the leading national developers of full-service retirement communities. Headquartered near Baltimore, Md., Erickson has built an innovative network of 23 communities that combine a maintenance-free active lifestyle with a host of amenities, social activities, and wellness and medical centers, proven to improve both physical and mental health. Erickson was named by FORTUNE as being one of the Top 100 "2008 Best Companies to Work For®." The Erickson enterprise also encompasses the Retirement Living TV network; NorthBay environmental education center; the Erickson Health system; Erickson Advantage health plan; Renaissance Gardens assisted living, long-term nursing care, and short-term rehabilitation residences; The Erickson School at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); The Erickson Foundation; and Point Lookout conference center.

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