Walgreens collects donations for Susan G. Komen

DALLAS — Walgreens is collecting donations for breast cancer treatment through a partnership with Susan G. Komen to mark National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place this month.

The retail pharmacy chain and its customers raised more than $8.5 million last year to support community health and education programs, and Komen and affiliates were able to provide funding for more than 15,000 mammograms to uninsured and underinsured people and for education and patient navigation services to another 222,000, as well as for expansion of its national breast care helpline.

"We were so delighted with the outpouring of support from Walgreens and Walgreens customers last year," Susan G. Komen chief mission officer Chandini Portteus said. "These funds are making a significant impact in communities across the country, providing access to screening mammograms, treatment assistance and other services that otherwise would go unfunded."

For the donation drive, Walgreens is collecting money at its more than 8,000 stores through Thursday.