Recently, teams from the WuXi Advanced Therapies site in Philadelphia and the OXGENE site in the UK participated in events that championed awareness for issues that impact the patient communities we serve.

Climb for Kinder Care: Scaling New Heights for a Worthy Cause

On September 21st, 2024, three of our dedicated colleagues—Mohine Alam, Michael White, and Meenakshi Raghunath—took part in the Opie Jones Foundation’s #ClimbForKinderCare event by hiking to the summit of Mount Snowdon in Wales. This challenging 8-mile trek, representing the uphill battle of fighting childhood cancer, wasn’t just a hike; it was a mission to raise awareness and support for those affected by pediatric cancer.

The weather grew tougher as they ascended, with significant changes in climate near the peak, but their resolve remained unwavering. We couldn’t be prouder of their dedication, not only to completing the hike but also to their impressive fundraising efforts. If you’d like to contribute, it’s not too late! Visit their fundraising page here.

The Cause Behind the Climb

The Opie Jones Foundation organizes this annual fundraiser to advocate for kinder, innovative treatments for childhood cancers, such as CAR-T therapies. Their mission includes:

  • Providing mental health support through grants for families facing childhood cancer.
  • Increasing access to CAR-T cell therapy for patients and their families.
  • Raising awareness of childhood cancer and advocating for accessible, patient-friendly treatments.

Opie Jones, diagnosed with infant leukemia at just 5 months old, faced chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and relapsed shortly after his first birthday. Opie then became one of the first pediatric patients in Europe to receive commercialized CAR-T therapy, and at 4 years old, he remains in remission today. His mother, Lucy Ellerker-Jones, vowed to climb a mountain if they ever made it through this ordeal—and now, she and others are turning that promise into reality.

To learn more about the Opie Jones Foundation or donate, please visit their website.

Running Toward a Cure: WuXi Team Supports Miles for Melanoma

A team of 37 employees, friends, and family members from WuXi Advanced Therapies participated in the August 24th, 2024, Miles for Melanoma 5K at the Philadelphia Zoo. In support of the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF), the team raised over $2,500 to accelerate medical research, provide educational resources, and advocate for the melanoma community.

Melanoma, the fastest growing and deadliest form of skin cancer, is a cause close to our hearts. By participating in this event, we joined survivors, current patients, and loved ones of those affected by melanoma to rally around the fight for a cure.

Notable Achievements

A special congratulations goes out to several of our team members for their standout performances:

  • Stephen Frasco – 5th overall
  • Benjamin Weber – 7th overall
  • Alyssa Fisher, MS and Sara Benson, MS – 2nd in their age groups, both finished in the top 10 among all female runners

The #MilesForMelanoma event series unites communities nationwide to raise funds and awareness for the Melanoma Research Foundation’s mission. This year’s event drew industry leaders like Pfizer, Merck, and BMS, as well as healthcare providers like Jefferson Health and biotech companies such as Iovance Biotherapeutics, making it an inspiring day filled with solidarity and purpose.

We are incredibly proud of our team’s efforts and the collective dedication to a cause that matters to so many.

Both the Climb for Kinder Care and the Miles for Melanoma 5K reflect our ongoing commitment to making a difference. By supporting groundbreaking research and providing crucial resources, we continue to honor the patients, families, and survivors who inspire us every day.