Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) posted to the company's Web site grants and donations made by the Amgen Medical Education department (AmgenMED) and the Amgen Foundation. The posting is the latest element of Clearly Amgen, a section of the Company's Web site designed to provide clear and easy access to Amgen's policies and practices. Grants, donations and charitable contributions will be updated quarterly along with a brief description of each program or project.
The company launched Clearly Amgen in December 2007. The site features easy navigation to summaries of policies on ethical research, clinical data disclosure, responsible marketing, and as other topics of interest to Amgen stakeholders (www.amgen.com/about/amgen_policies).
The AmgenMED and Amgen Foundation grant and donation lists, as well as the guidelines governing these grants and donations, are the newest addition to the Clearly Amgen section of the Company's Web site. The lists are also accessible in the corporate giving section of the Web site - www.amgen.com/citizenship/donation_list_overview.htlm.
AmgenMED makes donations to support independent medical education, ancillary support for healthcare professionals in training, clinical practice guidelines support, fellowships, fundraising or charitable events, junior faculty awards, patient and public education programs, pharmacy residency and professional medical society support. The Amgen Foundation gives grants to non-profit organizations that work to advance science education, improve quality of care and access for patients, and create sound communities where Amgen staff live and work.
"We help fulfill our mission of serving patients when we provide support for medical education, patient organizations, scientific institutions and the community," said David Beier, Amgen's senior vice president of Global Government and Corporate Affairs. "This support advances science and helps patients and healthcare professionals in many ways, from training science teachers to educating healthcare providers about disease awareness, prevention and treatment options."
In the first quarter of 2008, the Amgen Foundation provided more than $300,000 in grants. The Foundation also contributed more than $980,000 in matching staff gifts to nearly 1,000 organizations.
AmgenMED made more than $11 million in donations and grants to 177 organizations that advance medicine and healthcare, promote healthcare professional education, educate the public on disease and medical conditions and support charitable purposes that benefit patients.
In one example of corporate giving, in the first quarter of 2008 AmgenMED contributed $100,000 to the Prevent Cancer Foundation for National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month initiatives and the 2008 Check Your Insides Out Exhibit Tour.
"Support from Amgen has enabled the Prevent Cancer Foundation to reach millions of Americans with the life saving message that colorectal cancer is 'Preventable, Treatable and Beatable'," said Carolyn R. Aldige, president and founder of the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
Another example of a contribution by AmgenMED during the first quarter is $60,000 to the American Kidney Fund's "Kid"ney Kids Art & Calendar Contest." Reaching nearly 100,000 people across the country, the calendar is a creative educational tool that includes health tips and information on chronic kidney disease prevention, risk factors and organ and tissue donation options. The calendar, now in its 13th year, provides the opportunity for pediatric kidney patients to express themselves through artwork and submit it to a nationwide contest. Winners receive a trip to Washington, D.C. and are honored with an awards dinner.
"Thanks to the generosity of Amgen, for these children it is not just a trip but a life changing experience--for many it is the first time they learn that they are not the only child with this disease," said Elizabeth Gunthert, director of corporate and foundation giving at the American Kidney Fund. "Because of our program, the children receive an opportunity to develop lasting friendships with other pediatric kidney patients."
Grants and donations provided by AmgenMED and the Amgen Foundation are compliant with federal and state laws, as well as industry and academic codes and guidelines that govern such activities. In addition, Amgen applies strict standards to all of our interactions with health care professionals and other customers.
For more information about donations and grants made by AmgenMED and the Amgen Foundation or to learn how to apply, visit www.amgen.com/citizenship/overview.html.
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.
About the Amgen Foundation
The Amgen Foundation (www.amgen.com/citizenship/overview.html) seeks to advance science education, improve patient access to quality care, and strengthen the communities where Amgen staff members live and work. Since 1991, the foundation has made nearly $110 million in grants to local, regional, and national nonprofit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways. It has also supported disaster relief efforts both domestically and internationally.