August 4, 2016

Astellas USA Foundation Presented with Wesbury Leadership Award from the American Red Cross

Today Astellas USA Foundation was honored to receive the Wesbury Leadership Award from the American Red Cross. Astellas USA Foundation proudly welcomed members of the Red Cross to Astellas' headquarters for the Americas in Northbrook, IL, where Celena Roldán, CEO of American Red Cross of Chicago and Northern Illinois presented Jim Robinson, president of Astellas Americas, and Board member of Astellas USA Foundation, with the award at a company-wide town hall meeting.

The Wesbury Leadership Award honors Astellas USA Foundation's long standing support of the American Red Cross, Chicago Chapter to help prepare and strengthen communities. One of the current partnership projects involves providing funds for the purchase of 23,000 smoke alarms to help 9,200 families be more prepared for fires. Since the campaign’s inception in October 2014, the Red Cross has conducted more than 121,000 in-home fire safety visits, installing more than 264,000 smoke alarms and helping create safer home environments for 333,000 people. Most importantly, the Red Cross has documented more than 100 lives saved so far, thanks to these efforts.

"The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois is honored to present the 2016 Wesbury Award to Astellas USA Foundation, a dedicated partner that understands our mission and its impact," said Celena Roldán, CEO of the Chicago & Northern Illinois Red Cross. "This year, Astellas USA Foundation has not only championed our life-saving home fire campaign, but also supported disaster relief for the Texas Floods, Ecuador Earthquake, and Canadian Wildfire. We are truly grateful for our partnership."

The Wesbury Leadership Award was established by the Chicago Red Cross in 1991 in honor of past Board chairman Stuart A. Wesbury. This valued healthcare professional and longtime friend of the Red Cross epitomized humanitarianism and partnership in both his professional and volunteer life. The award was designated to annually recognize foundations, corporations, individuals and media partners whose efforts enhance the visibility of the local Red Cross, and help deliver its services and messages of health, safety and preparedness to all communities.

Astellas USA Foundation has proudly supported the Red Cross for seven years to help them achieve their mission, which aligns with Astellas USA Foundation's own efforts to make a difference in the communities it serves. Astellas USA Foundation supports charitable programs and organizations that are committed to providing healthy living, inclusive and equitable quality education, and promoting well-being for all.

"We are honored to be recognized as a Foundation that embodies the values of humanitarians like Stuart A. Wesbury, and we are proud to support and celebrate his passion for making the Chicagoland area healthier and safer," said Jim Robinson, president of Astellas Americas and Board member of Astellas USA Foundation. "Our partnership with the Red Cross helps us further his mission, and we hope to embody this spirit as we help communities during their greatest time of need for many years to come."

Astellas USA Foundation looks forward to continuing its support of the Red Cross and other organizations that bring health and safety to our communities and help empower our communities for a brighter tomorrow.

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