GNC Customers Donate Over $400,000 for the National MS Society

PITTSBURGH, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Proving that health-conscious consumers can also be generous contributors to a great cause, GNC is extremely proud to announce that GNC customers donated over $400,000 for the National MS Society in a very short timeframe by sponsoring Phil Keoghan's Ride Across America. By leveraging its domestic store base of some 3,800 locations, GNC was able to bring the MS story to health-conscious consumers around the country, giving a big boost to the National MS Society's search for a cure for the millions of people who suffer from multiple sclerosis.

Keoghan, host of the "The Amazing Race" on CBS, now in its 15th season, was sponsored by GNC to help raise awareness for MS and to promote his new sports bar, NOW OSM (One Square Meal), and his new book No Opportunity Wasted.

"We were thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with Phil Keoghan," said Tom Dowd, Executive Vice President, Stores, Operations & Development for GNC. "He is an excellent role model for living a healthy lifestyle and a committed supporter of MS research who volunteered his time and energy in riding his bike 100 miles a day on a 3,500-mile journey across America."

Dowd added, "But I am very impressed with the commitment of GNC customers to put their hard-earned money on the line to support the National MS Society and the valuable work they do. We're also delighted with the number of people who were inspired to start exercising and living well after following Phil on his daily blogs at philridesacrossamerica.com and hearing about his cross-country ride through GNC's communications. We are extremely proud to have been a part of this joint venture, and GNC wants to thank all of our customers for supporting a fantastic cause like MS."

About GNC

GNC, headquartered inPittsburgh, Pa., is the largest global specialty retailer of nutritional products including vitamin, mineral, herbal and other specialty supplements and sports nutrition, diet and energy products. As of March 31, 2009, GNC has more than 5,200 retail locations throughoutthe United States (including 944 franchise and 1,733 Rite Aid store-within-a-store locations) and franchise operations in 44 international markets. The company -- which is dedicated to helping consumers Live Well -- also offers products and product information online at www.gnc.com.

SOURCE GNC

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