During October, November and December, Rite Aid (NYSE, PSX:RAD) is enhancing its chain wide, year long Diabetes awareness initiative by offering a free Diabetes Guide, Diabetes Smart Cards with healthy recipes, and the chance to get a free Reader's Digest Diabetes Management Planner. In addition, Rite Aid pharmacists are going the extra mile to help find a cure for diabetes through the company's ongoing exclusive partnership with the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Rite Aid's "Walk With a Pharmacist for Diabetes" program invites Rite Aid customers to join their local pharmacist as he or she leads a team of walkers in the local ADA fundraiser, ”America's Walk for Diabetes.â€�

”Rite Aid has made a commitment to offer the programs, services and support to raise awareness to help fight the growing diabetes epidemic,â€� said Mark de Bruin, Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy. "Many people have diabetes, or care for someone who does, and it's important for them to know that they don't have to manage the disease alone. Rite Aid pharmacists are specially trained on diabetes management to help our patients sort through information, answer questions and offer products and services geared to help our patients lead healthier lives."

The 18-page comprehensive Diabetes Guide was developed with the ADA and provides helpful advice on managing diabetes, important information on symptoms, risk factors, healthy nutrition and physical activity, medications and diabetes related products. The guide also includes a risk assessment test from the ADA, information on diabetes management geared to patients living with diabetes, a food diary and a chart to record blood glucose readings.

Diabetes Smart Cards are pocket-sized cards that contain simple but smart tips from specially trained Rite Aid pharmacists on making healthy lifestyle decisions including smart food choices, ways to get fit, testing your blood levels, and numerous healthy recipes. The Smart Cards also include great coupon offers on everyday items as well as items geared to patients living with the disease.

With the purchase of $25 worth of select commonly used products at any Rite Aid, customers get a free Reader's Digest Diabetes Management Planner, valued at $16.95. Products include mouthwash, eye drops, first aid ointment, lotions, tea and sugar-free gum. The planner includes a weekly meal plan and daily tracker to record weight, blood sugar levels, activity level, food intake, amount of sleep and provides daily motivational tips. As part of the planner customers receive recipe cards, pocket-size shopping lists with suggestions for healthy snacks and meals and a pocket size Dining Out Guide with strategies for healthy options at different types of restaurants including Mexican, Italian, Chinese and Fast Food.

Rite Aid "Walk with a Pharmacist for Diabetes" walk teams are participating in ADA "America's Walk for Diabetes" fundraising walks in markets where the company operates to raise funds and help find a cure for the life threatening disease. Customers can sign up to walk or support their local Rite Aid walk team at all participating stores.

Rite Aid works closely throughout the year with the ADA raising funds and awareness of diabetes, a disease that affects seven percent of all adults and children in the United States, and that number is growing. Rite Aid pharmacists, specially trained in diabetes care, can work one-on-one with patients to monitor glucose levels, give advice on medications and new products and help make successful lifestyle changes.

Rite Aid has a website available year round, www.riteaiddiabetes.com, solely dedicated to diabetes education and awareness. Rite Aid's diabetes web site includes educational articles, diabetes management product recommendations, frequently asked questions and a section devoted to family and caregivers.

Rite Aid as part of its commitment and exclusive partnership with the ADA has contributed over $1 million directly to building awareness and finding a cure for diabetes by selling $1 Diabetes Stars in all pharmacies throughout November. All contributions go directly to the ADA.

Rite Aid Corporation is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with annual revenues of $17.3 billion and approximately 3,320 stores in 27 states and the District of Columbia. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com.