TORONTO, April 24, 2020 /CNW/ - Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announced that the Vertex Foundation, a nonprofit charitable foundation, will donate $50,000 CAD to Food Banks Canada to support their COVID-19 Response Fund.
Food banks across Canada have been severely impacted by COVID-19. They are facing increased demand for support, and operational capacity is strained. Many have seen drastic reductions in their food recovery efforts as well as a significant drop in volunteers. Yet, they are working tirelessly to serve those who rely on their services to feel safe and healthy.
This funding will allow food banks to continue to purchase food and other necessities. This donation is part of the Vertex Foundation's $5 million global commitment to support the COVID-19 pandemic response, including doubling its match for employees' charitable donations to eligible organizations responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation's funds will help organizations that are providing emergency relief and assistance in the global communities where Vertex employees live and work, with a focus on providing health care and supplies and support for vulnerable populations.
"Thank you to the Vertex Foundation and its employees for supporting their neighbours in need," said Chris Hatch, CEO, Food Banks Canada. "This money will be used to purchase food to keep those living with food insecurity afloat."
"We would like to take this time to recognize and thank all employees and volunteers currently on the front lines working to meet the basic needs of our most vulnerable community members," said Michael Siauw, Country Manager, Vertex Canada. "Vertex employees have volunteered with their local food banks in the past and hold deep appreciation and respect for the impact they have on our communities across Canada."
About Food Banks Canada
Food Banks Canada provides national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with the food bank network from coast-to-coast-to-coast. For 40 years, food banks have been dedicated to helping Canadians living with food insecurity. Over 3,000 food banks and community agencies come together to serve our most vulnerable neighbours who – last year – made 1.1 million visits to these organizations in one month alone, according to our HungerCount report. Visit http://www.foodbankscanada.ca/ to learn more.
About the Vertex Foundation
The Vertex Foundation is a nonprofit charitable foundation. It seeks to improve the lives of people with serious diseases and in its communities through education, innovation and health programs. Established in 2017, the Foundation is a long-term source of charitable giving and is part of Vertex Pharmaceuticals' corporate giving commitment.
About Vertex
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has multiple approved medicines that treat cystic fibrosis (CF) — a rare, life- threatening genetic disease — and has several ongoing clinical and research programs in CF. Beyond CF, Vertex has a robust pipeline of investigational small molecule medicines in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including pain, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and APOL1-mediated kidney diseases. In addition, Vertex has a rapidly expanding pipeline of genetic and cell therapies for diseases such as sickle cell disease, beta thalassemia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Mass., Vertex's global headquarters is now located in Boston's Innovation District and its international headquarters is in London, UK. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Latin America. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 10 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and top five on the 2019 Best Employers for Diversity list by Forbes.
SOURCE Vertex Pharmaceuticals
