Takeda Cares Day Supports Local Charities

DEERFIELD, Ill., Oct. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Takeda, a top 15 pharmaceutical company in the U.S., will raise money for local charities today when its employees participate in the annual Takeda Cares Day event.

Nearly 600 employees will run or walk a 5K course on the running trail of the company's Deerfield campus, or participate in field games. For each employee who registers and participates in the event, Takeda will donate $100 to one of three community organizations pre-selected by the participating employee. An estimated $60,000 will be raised.

"Takeda is committed to social responsibility, with a focus on health and science education and advocacy, and community vitality," said Doug Cole, president, Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. "Takeda Cares Day is a day to showcase our philanthropic spirit and celebrate our employees – many of whom have limited time due to work and family obligations – giving them a meaningful and fun way to contribute to building a stronger and healthier community without leaving the Deerfield campus."

The event's creation in 2011 was sparked by employees' desire to find a way to promote camaraderie throughout the office and make a unique, meaningful contribution to their community. Last year's Takeda Cares Day resulted in a $54,000 contribution to Community Health, iBio Institute and United Way of Lake County, with 567 employees participating.

Donation Recipients

This year, the money raised will benefit the following nonprofit organizations:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago – Chicagoland's largest donor and volunteer-supported youth mentoring organization. Serving Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County and Northwest Indiana.
• Chicago Family Health Center – Addresses the health care needs of entire families and provides preventive health programs in South Chicago, Pullman, East Side, Roseland and Chicago Lawn.
• Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children, Lake County – CASA Lake County is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the Juvenile Court System and other settings.

"We are pleased to be a part of an event that is rooted in supporting the health of the community we serve," said Terri Zenner Greenberg, executive director, CASA Lake County. "Takeda Cares Day will have a direct and positive impact on the work we do to provide better access to healthcare for thousands of Chicagoland people."

About Takeda in the Chicagoland Area

As a science and evidence-based company with a strong presence in Deerfield, Ill., Takeda is committed to contributing to the health of patients worldwide and supporting the community and the environment. Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. and Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc. are subsidiaries of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan. The respective companies currently market metabolic, gout, gastroenterology, renal, and central nervous system treatments and seek to bring innovative products to patients. To learn more about these Takeda companies, visit www.takeda.us.

SOURCE Takeda