CHICAGO and DEERFIELD, Ill., Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas Pharma US, Inc. ("Astellas"), a research-based pharmaceutical company based in Deerfield, Ill., is pleased to donate 150 used laptops to Midtown Educational Foundation, a nonprofit academic enrichment organization that serves over 1,000 students and parents in need each year through its Chicago-based Metro Achievement Center for girls and Midtown Center for boys.

"The Midtown Educational Foundation is thrilled to partner with Astellas to provide inner-city students with laptops and updated software. Their hands-on approach to helping us solve our technology challenges from beginning to end is greatly appreciated," says Sharon Hefferan, Director of Metro Achievement Center for girls.

After MEF gratefully accepted Astellas' donation, a team of Astellas employees volunteered their time to prepare the computers for Midtown and Metro students.

The laptops arrived just in time for the new school year. "The laptop computers donated by Astellas will for the first time give us access to Naviance, a cutting edge web-based tool for advisors and teachers to best serve our students and for parents to instantly track their children's progress," says John Heybach, Director of Midtown Center for boys. At Metro for girls, the laptops will be put to use in a new student computer lab which will serve to enhance significantly the students' academic experience.

"Astellas has a longstanding commitment to education and we are very pleased to provide these laptops to the students of Midtown Educational Foundation," said Seigo Kashii, President and CEO of Astellas. "We feel strongly that the future of innovation lies in our children and by playing an active role in education, and programs like this, we can help students in our community achieve academic excellence.

Since 1965, Midtown Educational Foundation's programs have worked to instil self worth, academic skills and work habits in Chicago's at-risk 4th - 12th grade youth. With the collaboration of parents, teachers and volunteers, MEF students enroll in college at a rate of nearly five times that of their peers nationwide. Enrollment is now open to students from low-income families across the Chicago area.  

To learn more about Midtown Educational Foundation, or to find out about ways to volunteer or donate, please visit www.midtown-metro.org.

About Midtown Educational Foundation

Midtown Educational Foundation (MEF) helps youngsters to become better students and better people through its sponsorship of the Metro Achievement Center for girls and Midtown Center for boys in Chicago, Illinois. MEF's award-winning enrichment programs aim to develop the whole person. Midtown and Metro blend academic tutoring, character building, sports and arts, parental involvement, and constant personal attention, including college preparation, scholarship opportunities, and career guidance from dynamic professionals across Chicago. Since its founding in 1965, thousands of inner-city boys and girls ages 8 to 18 have participated in MEF programs. Alumni enter college at nearly five times the rate of their peers.

About Astellas

The Astellas culture and brand is committed to building community, helping others, encouraging integrity and inspiring people to make a difference, today, tomorrow and every day. Astellas Pharma US, Inc., located in Deerfield, Illinois, is a U.S. affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. The organization is committed to becoming a global category leader in focused areas by combining outstanding R&D and marketing capabilities. In the U.S., Astellas markets products in the areas of Anti-Infectives, Cardiology, Dermatology, Neuroscience, Transplant, Oncology and Urology. For more information about Astellas Pharma US, Inc., please visit our website at www.astellas.us or follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AstellasUS.