NORTHBROOK, Ill., Sept. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, more than 600 Astellas employees on two continents will get out of their offices, roll up their sleeves and help their communities. This will be done in support of Changing Tomorrow Day (#CTDay16) — a global effort to contribute time and resources to building stronger and more vibrant communities. Across the United States and Brazil, employees will carry their passion for helping others from the office and into the community by volunteering at service projects to end hunger, improve wellness facilities, bring smiles to people facing unique challenges and lead children in healthy activities.

"Changing Tomorrow is more than just a day of service – it's a philosophy at Astellas. Astellas employees work hard every day to change tomorrow for patients by turning innovative science into medical solutions." said Jim Robinson, president of Astellas Americas. "Changing Tomorrow Day – and Astellas' five paid days off for volunteerism – allows employees to connect with our communities and with each other to support the great need that is out there. They see, meet and feel why we need to change tomorrow."

Activities will take place at six different project locations throughout the Chicago area, where Astellas employees will support organizations dedicated to wellness, food scarcity, the environment and education. In Los Angeles, at Astellas' Agensys research facility, employees will support patients with critical illnesses by preparing and packaging 1200 meals to feed and nourish those too sick to prepare food for themselves. In Sao Paulo, Brazil, employees will improve the facilities at Conviver é Viver to support patients living with HIV and participate in local activities throughout the country to brighten the lives of their neighbors facing unique challenges. The activities will count toward Astellas Americas' goal of contributing 15,000 hours of meaningful work to help prepare communities today for what can happen tomorrow. 

Chicago area projects include:

• Cancer Wellness Center – Northbrook, IL: Facility provides free educational programs, wellness activities and support services to cancer patients and their caregivers  
• Friedman Place – Chicago, IL: Community for adults with vision loss
• Hyde Park Elementary School – Waukegan, IL: Diverse school serving 300 students in grades K – 5
• Little City – Palatine, IL: Community/facility provides services and amenities to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Oriole Park Elementary School – Chicago, IL: Longest running elementary school in Chicago has 330 students in grades Pre-K – 8
• Stop Hunger Now – Northbrook, IL: International hunger relief agency

"We are thrilled to partner with Astellas for Changing Tomorrow Day for the second consecutive year," said, Nancy Bulzoni, executive director, Cancer Wellness Center. "Too often, we overlook the people in our own communities who are in need of resources and support. Astellas' ongoing commitment to oncology and the dedication of their employees help us meet the needs of the families we serve."

Throughout the year and around the world, Astellas Changing Tomorrow Day events mobilize employees to commit to an entire day of service. A series of company-sponsored volunteer events, Changing Tomorrow Day is a collaborative effort with local nonprofits to provide employees diverse opportunities to make a positive, measurable impact.

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, Facebook at www.facebook.com/AstellasUS or LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/astellas-pharma.

About Astellas Americas Corporate Social Responsibility
At Astellas, how we operate is just as important as the medicines we manufacture. Our business philosophy and vision is to operate in a socially responsible way each and every day through an approach we call "Living SMART^TM." Living Smart means preparing communities today for what can happen tomorrow by helping communities access the resources they need to face the future with confidence. For more information, see the Astellas Americas Social Responsibility Report Card.

Living SMART^TM is a trademark of Astellas US LLC

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SOURCE Astellas