The people who collaborate with Bristol Myers Squibb donate blood in the blood bank of the Italian Red Cross. The initiative, which will take place tomorrow in Rome in Piazzale dell’Industria, is part of the national campaign of the Cri ‘Donate that comes back to you’, carried out with the unconditional contribution of Bristol Myers Squibb, to raise awareness on blood donation, a real and life-saving, whose stocks are often not enough. And the pandemic – and the fear of contagion – have exacerbated the problem, as evidenced by the data from the National Blood Center: a total of 2,409,822 units of blood were collected in 2020, down from 2,548,004 in 2019. it was donated by Bristol Myers Squibb to CRI. The initiative was presented today in a virtual press conference.
“We foster valuable partnerships with voluntary associations to support citizen-oriented projects that benefit the entire community,” says Emma Charles, general manager Bristol Myers Squibb Italy. “I am proud that Bristol Myers Squibb is alongside the Italian Red Cross in this initiative, which represents a concrete act towards the many patients who need transfusions to live. Blood is a precious commodity and this appeal, especially for young people. , aims to raise awareness by inviting them to become donors. I want to thank all the donors who with their generosity contribute to helping those in need “.
“The Italian Red Cross – explains Francesco Rocca, president of the Italian Red Cross and of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (Ifrc) – continues to be committed on multiple fronts to combat the pandemic. However, our commitment to donations does not diminish. The ‘Donate to you back’ project was launched last June through social channels and with the contribution of Casa Surace to remember how a simple gesture can turn into something immensely great, making every donor a true hero. This is why teamwork between institutions, companies and citizens in favor of the community becomes essential. The days dedicated to donation, such as the one organized by Bristol Myers Squibb, are an example “.
“Many Regions, especially in certain periods of the year – continues Rocca – have to face a chronic shortage of blood, which puts at risk life-saving therapies and scheduled and emergency surgeries. Solidarity must not be only that of Regions with production capacity greater so that they provide blood to those with chronic deficiencies, but also the contribution of individual citizens who perform an act of great responsibility. Bristol Myers Squibb and its Foundation have been by our side in the Covid-19 emergency, since the beginning of the pandemic , through important donations. And thanks to the support of donors such as BMS, today we are able to strengthen our response capacity in the area and to relaunch with greater force the importance and social value of blood donation “.
The company’s commitment to the community goes beyond the pandemic as demonstrated by the ‘Country 2 Country 4 Cancer’, a stage cycling race now in its fifth edition, aimed at the people of Bristol Myers Squibb in Europe and aimed at raising funds for onco-haematological patients.
“Our culture – underlines Elinora Pisanti, Human Resources Director Bristol Myers Squibb Italy – is represented by six values: passion, innovation, sense of urgency, responsibility, inclusion and integrity. It is precisely passion, understood as solidarity and closeness to patients, which leads our people to realize the values of the company every day. Blood donation is an act of strong generosity, which allows all of us to be close to the community and to the patients who most need blood transfusions. May this donation day, promoted by Bristol Myers Squibb, become an annual event, an activity extended to more people who, together, can contribute to the daily effort of the Red Cross to collect blood in support of the community. From a leading biopharmaceutical company globally, we are aware of our responsibility to care for the health of patients, colleagues and the community. “