New community philanthropy initiative aims to bring local families closer to wellness
MISSISSAUGA, ON (May 6, 2010) – Amgen Canada, a Mississauga-based biotechnology company, today announced the local programs selected to receive support through its new community philanthropy initiative, Holding Hands, at an employee launch celebration. Holding Hands, developed with Amgen staff input and community leader guidance over the past year, defines the core focus of the company’s community involvement - to support programs that help bring local families in need closer to wellness as they navigate a complex healthcare system through information, education and support.
Working with community leaders to identify programs that share the spirit and purpose of Holding Hands, Amgen has committed more than $200,000 over the past several months to a variety of community based programs in Halton and Peel regions, as well as at a national level. This includes supporting such initiatives as the Healthy Living Expo, a Mississauga event that promotes health awareness in multiple languages.
“Amgen’s support for our annual Healthy Living Expo enables us to get health information into the hands of those who need it, in their own language, which can be tremendously comforting for newer Canadians entering the health system,” said Audrey Chiang, Chair, Mississauga Board of Chinese Professionals & Businesses. “We are grateful for Amgen’s active participation in helping to make our community stronger and we look forward to working with Amgen for many years to come.”
Some of the other programs Amgen now supports through Holding Hands include: the Caledon Meals on Wheels SMILE Program; the Canadian Public Health Association/Amgen Award for Innovation; the Credit Valley Hospital Settlement Workers program; and the Links2Care Community Support Program in Halton Hills. Holding Hands further compliments Amgen Canada’s other primary corporate philanthropic focus, supporting science education and promoting science literacy.
About Holding Hands
The Holding Hands initiative began with an in-depth series of internal staff interviews, focus groups and surveys. This process, spearheaded by staff with a strong desire to establish their footprint as an integral part of the community, aimed at getting broad input into a specific, criteria-driven area of community support to which community-directed resources, should be focused. The consensus landed on a core principle: to support programs that provide local families in need with information, education and support to help them achieve wellness as they navigate a complex healthcare system. Armed with this vision, a lengthy series of consultations with community leaders helped identify local programs for potential support, and selections were made based upon agreed criteria tied to the Holding Hands vision.
“Amgen Canada applauds the incredible commitment and volunteer spirit that drives the many community programs we support through Holding Hands,” said Dr. Daniel Billen, Vice-President & General Manager, Amgen Canada Inc. “What started as a seed of an idea with members of our team who wanted to make a difference in the communities where they live and work has now been brought to fruition through the programs we are privileged to support. It is these kinds of programs that help our communities become stronger, healthier and even more vibrant.”
As a leader in innovation, Amgen Canada understands the value of science. With main operations located in Mississauga, Ontario’s vibrant biomedical cluster, and its research facility in Burnaby, British Columbia, Amgen Canada has been an important contributor to advancements in science and innovation in Canada since 1991. The company contributes to the development of new therapies or new uses for existing medicines in partnership with many of Canada’s leading health-care, academic, research, government and patient organizations. To learn more about Amgen Canada, visit http://www.amgen.ca/.
CONTACT: Natasha Bond
Amgen Canada
(905) 285-3007
natashab@amgen.com
