©2011 Galesburg Broadcasting Co.
| Gee, Wally! "The Beav" Came out to Play in Galesburg |
The Beaver likely never had to contend with a problem as big as one he faces while he travels cities throughout the country.
Jerry Mathers, television star from "Leave It to Beaver," came to Galesburg Monday to promote prescription assistance for those who cannot afford it. Mathers came with the Partnership for Prescription Assistance and their "Help Is Here Express" Bus to get people information on programs that provide prescription medicines were free or nearly free. The bus tour is sponsored by pharmaceutical companies addressing the chronic diseases in the United States.
Mathers tells WGIL people may not know about the program until they see what it's all about. "It's for people who come in to see me and the benefit I give to them," Mathers said. "Somebody comes in who wouldn't come here anyway, and suddenly sees the program and learns about it -- and I can't tell you how many people say 'Oh, that would help my uncle.' 'That would help my neighbor down the street.' So it's more just getting the word out. So, I'm very, very happy to be a spokesperson, to be able to get the word out and tell people that otherwise wouldn't know about it."
The PPA has said it has helped nearly six million people across all 50 states and includes more than 450,000 in the state of Illinois alone.
The Senior Vice President for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufactures of America, Ken Johnson -- a Galesburg native -- said the PPA program has benefited over a thousand people locally.
Before the Beaver began talking to people about the project, Johnson presented a check to the Knox County Child Advocacy Center.
(Jerry Mathers poses for a picture with Galesburg Mayor Gary Smith.)
(Jerry Mathers, right, speaks while Galesburg native Ken Johnson watches. WGIL News Story and Photos by Dominic Fortini.) |
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| 04 07 09 by Newsroom |
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