Pfizer Australia marks five-year anniversary of CSR program

Marking the five-year anniversary of the company’s CSR and community engagement program, Pfizer Australia has released its 2020 Pfizer CARES Report which charts the progress of the program and the impact of the company’s significant volunteering efforts to sustain the lives of patients, the community, colleagues, and the environment in which it operates.

“As we celebrate the United Nations’ International Day of Volunteering on 5 December, I am proud to present a snapshot of Pfizer’s CSR report card and share the incredible work of our hundreds of employee volunteers. Their passion helps transform the lives of the patients, colleagues and the important community organisations we partner with to care for the community and environment,” said Pfizer Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Anne Harris.

“To advance our efforts in CSR, five years ago Pfizer identified the opportunity to broaden its program, and the Pfizer CARES (Community Collaboration and Responsible Economic and Environment Stewardship) program was born. 2020 marks a five-year milestone for our outstanding Pfizer CARES program which our caring colleagues collectively shape and influence.

“This 2020 report is a reflection through first-hand stories of how our colleagues have impacted others, and how the program has impacted them. The 48-page report is only a snapshot of the program’s scale and impact over five years – it demonstrates how our colleagues contribute to a much bigger picture of the community and people we serve.

“Our culture of caring is felt every day in our business and it means that Pfizer colleagues are always willing to help out when needed. When we see a need, we are able to mobilise quickly and effectively to facilitate meaningful community engagement and relationships that touch the lives of thousands of people. Our response to the bushfires and COVID-19 are shining examples of this,” Ms Harris said.

“The reality of the pandemic has meant that while we spent less time on physical events, this has allowed us to redirect more of our resources to virtual volunteering and grants towards our charity partners. This has offered a lifeline to many charities constrained during a time of increased need for their services,” Pfizer’s CSR Lead and External Relations Manager Leigh Simmonds.

“Our Pfizer CARES program and report sets out a framework for how Pfizer’s colleagues aim to achieve a more sustainable and equitable future for all. By connecting our efforts to the 17 United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals we know we are contributing to the bigger picture and making both a local and global difference. Aligning to the UN’s goals ensures we are placing our efforts and funds in the right direction”, Ms Simmonds said.

“Over the next five years Pfizer is committed to working more closely with patients, colleagues, community partners and charities, to measure impact through their perspective and what matters most to them.

“While the statistics are impressive, it is the stories that will inspire, together with the amazing Pfizer people behind the program and the many organisations that benefit from Pfizer CARES that makes this 2020 five-year report special,” Ms Simmonds said.

Highlights of the Pfizer CARES Program

• Over 2020, Pfizer Australia colleagues participated in 326 volunteer and fundraising events; contributed 1,348 volunteer hours with charity partners during and outside of work hours; and raised $259,000 in funds through their volunteering efforts.

• In 2020, Pfizer commenced the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan which recognises and collaborates with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to deliver positive health outcomes, sustainable social impact, equity and opportunities.

• To holistically support patients, in addition to the 250+ lifesaving and life-changing medicines the company makes, Pfizer:

• Supported patient organisations with a total of $2.8 million over the last five years to advance their work with the patients they serve. This includes funding for a McGrath Foundation Nurse supporting metastatic breast cancer in the Northern Sydney region.
• Over the last decade, Pfizer partnership with the Starlight Foundation has generated more than $1 million, helping sick children in hospitals throughout Australia.

• Through a virtual (online) volunteering program with The Smith Family, enabled by virtual volunteering partner Communiteer, Pfizer colleagues supported the education of more 18 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, allowing them to finish school and also benefit from student sponsorships providing school shoes, books, stationary and access to excursions and mentoring.
• Over the last five years, 363 Pfizer Australia colleagues have generously given blood and plasma to the Australian Red Cross’ Blood Bank to save the lives of patients. The 1,567 blood donations made have helped save 4,701 lives.
• As part of how we care for patients, more than 4,500 participants have entered Pfizer Clinical Trials in Australia over the last five years.

Read the 2020 Pfizer CARES Report here.