Gilead Sciences unveils social impact grants to champion health equity in underserved communities

ESG: Gilead Sciences Australia revealed today that five organisations will benefit from its Community Grants program, which totals $130,000 aimed at improving equity in access to care for individuals living with blood and breast cancers, as well as blood-borne viruses.

The first round of 2024 grants has been awarded to Lymphoma Australia, which will use the funds to enhance lymphoma care in regional, rural, and remote parts of Australia, focusing on improving education, awareness, and support for Australians living with lymphoma outside major metropolitan areas and for the healthcare professionals who support them.

Positive Life NSW received funding to support a series of workshops designed to inform the co-design of a program aimed at connecting heterosexual individuals living with HIV from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds to appropriate services and support.

“We know that many Australians affected by blood and breast cancers and blood-borne viruses face significant challenges in accessing the healthcare and support they need,” stated Michelle Skehan, Senior Director of Public Affairs at Gilead Sciences Australia and New Zealand.

“Geographic, cultural, social, and financial barriers, along with a lack of specific services, often prevent people from receiving the care they deserve.”

Additionally, The Kombi Clinic will utilise its grant to test and treat individuals living with hepatitis C in Queensland corrections facilities while providing data to assist The Kirby Institute’s evaluation of high-intensity point-of-care testing and treatment of hepatitis C in Australian prisons.

Inherited Cancers Australia (formerly Pink Hope) will enhance nurse and healthcare professional education and foster new partnerships among care providers for individuals with breast and hereditary cancer in Australia.

Finally, So Brave will support the launch of “Legacy of Love,” a metastatic breast cancer resource for young women and their loved ones at Parliament House in Canberra, in collaboration with the Parliamentary Friends of Cancer Care and Cure.

Skehan added, “We are delighted to be able to continue our Gilead Australia Community Grants program in 2024 and to support community-led organisations to do what they do best – respond to the needs of their communities. We encourage groups to apply for our new grant round opening soon, and our team is looking forward to receiving applications from next week.”

Applications for the second round of the 2024 Gilead Australia Community Grants Program will open on October 1, 2024, with grant applications of up to $50,000 being considered in the areas of HIV, viral hepatitis, blood, and breast cancer. For more information or to apply, please visit Gilead’s grant funding page or contact anzpublicaffairs@gilead.com.

Gilead anticipates donating over $270,000 to community and patient organisations throughout Australia in 2024.

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