STAINES, England, December 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas Pharma Europe, the European subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc, one of the world's top 20 pharmaceutical companies, can today announce the presentation of an Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Award donation to CliniClowns. This is a funding programme designed to award organisations that help citizens, of all communities realise their full potential and enhance their quality of life - both today and in the future.
The Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Awards complement the company's existing ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes. These embody a global and European commitment to supporting medical research and education and uphold the company's strong ethical principles. Among the main CSR-initiatives is the Astellas Pharma Europe Foundation, a registered charity with a long-term goal of providing support for programmes and activities that contribute to the advancement of an increasingly healthy society. Recent beneficiaries of the Foundation include Save the Children Liberia, which has been able to vaccinate 35,000 children against measles and a total of 45,000 children against other childhood diseases.
Mr Masao Yoshida, President and CEO of Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd, commented:
The Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Awards are designed to help create a brighter future. CliniClowns make a real difference to bring light and fun to children, who due to their illness or disability can really benefit from this delivery of positivity, to supplement their excellent medical care.
CliniClowns Netherlands, one of the four recipients of the Astellas Changing Tomorrow Charity Awards, is an unique foundation providing fun and diversion to as many children as possible who are suffering from illness, trauma or disability involving visits from specially trained clowns, CliniClowns. There are currently around 70 CliniClowns working in more than 100 hospitals and other care institutions throughout the Netherlands.
A spokesperson, from CliniClowns, commented:
With this funding CliniClowns can visit sick children in the hospitals and support chronically sick children cared for in the home. Some of the activities this funding supports include a travelling theatre-show - a specially created production to help children with mental and physical disabilities, and the Treasure Trunk - large cabin trunks packed with fun games.
The distraction and happiness the CliniClowns bring to the children makes it all worthwhile. The trained clowns let the children take charge of a situation and let them simply be a child again. For once nothing is required of them and anything can happen. This way the CliniClowns create a positive effect that often resonates with the rest of the family. We are delighted to have received this Astellas award and the associated funding.
Astellas Pharma Europe employs approximately 3,400 people in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the Middle East and Africa. Dedicated to improving people's lives around the world through the introduction of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products, it has key strengths in the therapy areas of Transplantation, Urology, Dermatology and Anti-infectives.
Notes to Editors
About Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd.
Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., located in the UK, is a European subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. The organisation is committed to becoming a global company by combining outstanding RD and marketing capabilities and continuing to grow in the world pharmaceutical market. Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd. is responsible for 20 affiliate offices located across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, an RD site and three manufacturing plants with approximately 3,400 staff.
SOURCE: Astellas Pharma Europe
CONTACT: For more information please contact: Corporate Communications,Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., +44(0)1784-419-480,Astellas.European.Communications@eu.astellas.com
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