ATLANTA, Ga. – Nov. 8, 2004 – Tiger Woods and Jay Haas share the final Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium) Charity Challenge as the two are tied for the lead entering the final round of The Tour Championship presented by Coca-Cola.
The Crestor Charity Challenge, which concluded today, is a season-long weekly competition that recognizes the tournament leader entering the final round at most PGA Tour events throughout the year. Through this first-of-its kind program, AstraZeneca and its Crestor product donated approximately $2.7 million to health care and PGA Tour charities around the country. Next year, the program will expand to include 35 events and the total donation will increase to $3.5 million.
“Giving back is at the heart of the PGA Tour and AstraZeneca is pleased to be able to support this by offering health education and recognizing local communities through the Crestor Charity Challenge,” said Tony Zook, senior vice president, commercial operations, AstraZeneca U.S. “The Crestor Charity Challenge not only adds an exciting twist to the PGA Tour, it is also helping the Tour reach its milestone of $1 billion in charitable donations within the next couple years.”
For the performances of Woods and Haas this week, AstraZeneca, on behalf of its Crestor product and the Tour Championship presented by Coca-Cola, will donate $50,000 to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Woods and Haas will also receive $25,000 each to donate to a health-care related charity of their choice. “As a non-profit organization, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta relies greatly on the generosity of the community to provide the best possible care for kids,” said Scott Hodoval, Vice President, Development at Children's. “Crestor’s gift through The Tour Championship is a shining example of caring support, and their funds will provide hope to so many of the critically ill and injured children we serve.”
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, one of the leading pediatric healthcare systems in the country, is a not-for-profit organization. With 430 licensed beds in two hospitals and more than 460,000 annual patient visits, Children’s is recognized for excellence in cardiac, cancer and transplant services, as well as in many other pediatric specialties. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta also operates 16 satellite locations around metro Atlanta including five immediate care centers, four primary care centers, and other facilities providing outpatient rehabilitation and other specialty care.
The Crestor Charity Challenge is the centerpiece of a multi-year Tour partnership with AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) on behalf of its cholesterol-lowering medication, Crestor.
"Giving back is at the heart of the PGA Tour and AstraZeneca is pleased to be able to support this by offering health education and recognizing local communities through the Crestor Charity Challenge," said Tony Zook, senior vice president, commercial operations, AstraZeneca U.S. "The Crestor Charity Challenge will not only add an exciting new twist to the PGA Tour, it will also help the Tour reach its milestone of $1 billion in charitable donations within the next few years."
Crestor Charity Challenge winners will be recognized during the network or cable telecast of each tournament. In addition, AstraZeneca and Crestor will sponsor the PGA Tour year-end charity special, which is scheduled to air December 19 on ABC. The PGA Tour partnership also includes the Crestor Charity Challenge Pavilion, an on-site component at select tournaments featuring interactive exhibits designed to provide health and cholesterol awareness, educational activities, health screenings/assessments, and golf tips by teaching pros for fans.
Fans can log on to www.crestor.pgatour.com to take part in weekly contests, read about past Crestor Charity Challenge winners, and learn more about Crestor. Crestor also will be the official sponsor of Tour Fantasy Golf at pgatour.com/fantasy.
