For the third consecutive year, Astellas helped veterans compete in the 2019 U.S. Department of Defense Warrior Games. The Warrior Games were established in 2010 to demonstrate the incredible potential of wounded, ill and injured service members. Astellas provided volunteer support and a $5,000 donation through the Fisher House Foundation, which builds comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay free of charge during hospital visits.

On June 27, more than 40 Astellas employees gathered in Tampa, Florida, using their Astellas volunteer time off days to help around 300 servicemen, servicewomen and wounded soldiers compete in events including shooting and sitting volleyball. The employee volunteers represented the company’s Military Employee Impact Group (MEIG), one of seven groups that focus on empowering employees to establish diverse and inclusive support communities within the organization. Other groups include the Abilities, African American, Asian, Hispanic, LGBTQ+, and Women’s EIGs.

“We value the skills and unique perspectives that our military veterans bring to Astellas,” said Collette Taylor Worthing, senior vice president, HR & Facilities Management and executive sponsor for MEIG. “The Military EIG’s participation at the Warrior Games, as well as the work they do all year long, are key to ensuring that current and potential U.S. military employees understand the important role they play at Astellas.”

Awarded by the Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) with its highest honor – the Pro Patria Award - Astellas is recognized as a top workplace in Illinois for military members. Astellas provides its military employees 10 days paid military leave for active service and supports employees through the Military Employee Impact Group (MEIG). The MEIG is dedicated to making Astellas the Employer of Choice for military members by increasing awareness of Astellas’ commitment to US military personnel and by providing support for the recruitment, retention and recognition of Astellas employees with military experience. It also supports the Fisher House Foundation with annual fundraising of more than $30K donated to date, monthly volunteers that provide meals and comfort to the families of hospitalized veterans staying at Fisher Houses across the country and has raised donations of over 4.5 million miles and $11k to support the Hero Miles drive.

The Warrior Games are hosted by the U.S. Special Operations Command and the Tampa Bay area, this year’s Warrior Games featured 14 sporting events representing teams from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and U.S. Special Operations Command, as well as representatives from our ally nations including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. This was the first year that Denmark and The Netherlands also participated.

“What I’m always inspired by is the comradery amongst these athletes—although they compete against one another, they are also rooting for each other to keep going!” said Stacie Cornfield, senior executive representative II, Hospital and co-chair for the Military Employee Impact Group. “It’s a great example of the same values we hold at Astellas of overcoming challenges through collaboration to achieve results.”

Learn more about the Warrior Games here.