NORTHBROOK, IL — More than 150 volunteers from the Astellas Medical Affairs, Americas team recently assembled welcome baskets and held a fundraiser in support of service men and women receiving outpatient care and military and veterans’ families who will be lodging at Wilford Hall Fisher House to visit loved ones hospitalized in the San Antonio,Texas area. The event coincided with the Astellas Medical Affairs, Americas Annual Forum, held July 20-24.

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“Astellas believes in giving back to the families of those who have bravely served our country,” said Jeffrey Bloss, Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs, Americas at Astellas and a US military veteran. “We’re proud to support the Fisher House Foundation’s efforts to provide free housing for military families at a time when they need it most.”

Attendees at the Medical Affairs, Americas Annual Forum assembled more than 200 welcome baskets with toiletries, blankets and other household supplies for the military families. Astellas and its employees contributed $10,000 in support of this organization.

The effort is part of Astellas’ ongoing Changing Tomorrow Day 2015 pledge to local communities in honor of the company’s 10^th anniversary. This year, Astellas is committed to achieving 10,000 volunteer hours and further advancing access to health and community development.

“With the support of Astellas, Fisher House is helping families address basic housing needs so they can focus on supporting loved ones at our nation’s military and VA medical centers,” said Dwayne Hopkins, Executive Director at the Wilford Hall Fisher House. “We look forward to working with organizations like Astellas to continue our important mission for generations to come.”

About Astellas
Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.us. You can also follow us on Twitter at @AstellasUS.

About Fisher House
Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans' families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital it serves. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans' families an estimated $282 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.