Today, Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) employees participate in the 2015 Roche Children's Walk at more than 131 company sites across the world. The funds raised through the event will be used to support children in need, either in the local community or in Malawi in Southeast Africa, one of the world's least developed countries.
"The Roche Children's Walk is a key event in our company's calendar. It represents our firm conviction that support for social and humanitarian programmes should be long-term and foster sustainable solutions," says Severin Schwan, CEO of Roche. "Over the years the funds raised have improved the lives of many vulnerable children. We will again match the money raised by employees."
With 62% of the Malawian population living below the international poverty line of USD 1.25 per day and 790,000 children orphaned due to HIV/AIDS, the goal of development efforts is to foster long-term sustainable change in alignment with the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Through partnerships with UNICEF and European Coalition of Positive People (ECPP), Roche contributes to building schools, training teachers, educating children, ensuring sustainable water supply and sanitation, hygiene promotion, decreasing child mortality and supporting orphan centers for children affected by HIV/AIDS.
About Roche Children's Walk
Starting in 2003, Roche employees have continuously raised money for children in need by joining the annual Children’s Walk which takes place on June 16– the International Day of the African Child. With the purpose of encouraging self-sustainable living through skill-building, the money which Roche employees collect during the global event is matched by Roche. 50% of the funds raised can be used in support of local children or the entire amount can be donated to help children in Malawi in Southeast Africa, one of the least developed countries in the world.
About United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund - UNICEF
Founded in 1947 and mandated by the United Nations General Assembly and guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF advocates for the protection of children's rights, helps children across the world meet basic needs and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Working in 190 countries and territories to translate the commitment to the wellbeing of children into practical action, UNICEF focuses special efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
About European Coalition of Positive People (ECPP)
Based in London, the European Coalition of Positive People is a self-help organisation of, by and for people living with HIV and AIDS, Hepatitis and Tuberculosis seeking to establish a democratic and accountable patient voice at a European level. ECPP advocates for the rights of positive people (patients) as enshrined in the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and in the UN Charter on Human Rights. Among many projects across the globe, ECPP supports orphan centers for HIV/AIDS orphanaged children in Malawi providing food, quality care and support, basic health care and education to orphans between 0-18 years of age.
About Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) - which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 - form a blueprint agreed to by all the world's countries and the world's leading development institutions. They have galvanized unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world's poorest.
About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and neuroscience. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. Roche's personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostics that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. Founded in 1896, Roche has been making important contributions to global health for more than a century. Twenty-eight medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and chemotherapy. In 2014, the Roche Group employed 88,500 people worldwide, invested 8.9 billion Swiss francs in R&D and posted sales of 47.5 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.