NORTHBROOK, Ill., (June 4, 2015) — The Astellas USA Foundation today announced joining the American Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, which  gathers donations in advance of major disasters to help ensure an immediate response to those affected by disasters.

"Thanks to the support of the Astellas USA Foundation and other companies and foundations, the Red Cross can immediately respond to the needs of people impacted by disaster in the United States," said Fran Edwardson, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois. "Members of this program generously help create a reliable funding base for disaster relief services, providing food, shelter, emotional support and other essential assistance to disaster victims."

In addition, the Astellas USA Foundation recently provided funding support to the Red Cross for the immediate needs of those affected by the earthquakes in Nepal and surrounding regions. According to the United Nations, more than 8 million people have been affected by the earthquake and hundreds of thousands of people require basic aid for food and shelter.

“Our hearts and sincere condolences go out to the people whose lives were affected by the devastating earthquakes in Nepal and the surrounding region,” said Jeff Winton, president of the Astellas USA Foundation. “Responding to disasters of this magnitude requires an extraordinary and immediate effort by countless volunteers, which is why the Astellas USA Foundation has joined the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program.”  

The Astellas USA Foundation provides funding support in partnering with charitable, scientific, literary and educational programs that contribute toward improving the well-being of people living in communities that Astellas serves. Most recently, the Astellas USA Foundation partnered with several organizations to:

• provide lifesaving measles vaccines in Latin America with Shot@Life,
• develop Instapeer, the first mobile app dedicated to ending isolation among young adults impacted by cancer, with Stupid Cancer,
• help build the new Regenstein Foundation Learning Campus at the Chicago Botanic Garden, which is designed to facilitate connections between people and nature, and
• inspire the next generation of scientists by awarding grants that promote STEM education to the Museum of Science and Industry, Science Buddies and the iBIO Institute’s Stellar Girls program.

How you can help 

People can join the Disaster Responder Program members in supporting Red Cross Disaster Relief and help provide food, shelter, emotional support and other assistance to the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year. To help people affected by disasters like those impacted by the Nepal earthquake, visit RedCross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make a donation.

About The Astellas USA Foundation

The Astellas USA Foundation is a tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation that awards grants to support charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes. To learn more about Astellas USA Foundation, please visit www.astellasusafoundation.org.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

###