Novartis celebrates 21st Community Partnership Day
In celebration of their company’s 21st annual Community Partnership Day (CPD), Novartis Healthcare Philippines associates joined more than 24,500 of their colleagues across six continents and 52 countries in making a difference in the communities where they live and work. Novartis associates volunteering their time to support social institutions and nonprofit organizations represent more than 196,000 hours of combined community service.
In line with this year’s Novartis Healthcare Philippines CPD theme “Moments of Giving”, the company’s associates shared the gift of life in the “Dugong Alay, Dugtong Buhay” blood donation activity held on May 22, at the Novartis office in Makati City. The blood donation activity was organized by PHAPCares Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP). Novartis is the first PHAP member to participate in the Foundation’s blood donation activity.
The next day, more than 70 associates spent a day with residents of the SOS Children’s Village, a private, nonpolitical, non-denominational organization located in Muntinlupa City that provides long-term family-based care to children in need. Aside from interacting and playing with the children, the associates also refurbished the facility’s music room and playroom.
In the Philippines, the first SOS Children’s Village was founded on May 1, 1967 in the province of Batangas. Today there are eight SOS Children’s Villages spread across the country, with 1,200 children and young adults living in the facility’s family-based care program. In local communities, SOS Children’s Villages give support and intervention to approximately 2,100 families.
“Associate volunteering is a key component of our strategic commitment to corporate responsibility,” said Juergen Brokatzky-Geiger, head of corporate responsibility. “It offers a huge opportunity for our associates to leverage their strengths and skills to deliver on our mission of discovering new ways to improve and extend people’s lives.”