Alexion Launches Alexion Charitable Foundation and Calls for Grantees

Rare Daily Staff

Rare disease drug developer Alexion Pharmaceuticals has launched the Alexion Charitable Foundation to provide support for the rare disease community and for local communities that the company serves.

The Alexion Charitable Foundation is separate from Alexion Pharmaceuticals and its corporate giving, patient support programs, and direct engagement with various patient organizations.

The foundation includes the Rare Belonging and Local Needs Grants programs. Rare Belonging seeks to advance emotional well-being and educational opportunities, and provide relief for critical needs, especially for those living with or affected by a rare disease. The Foundation seeks eligible, disease-agnostic nonprofit organizations to help create and execute programs aligned with these priorities.

“Alexion understands that the impact of living with a rare disease goes far beyond the disease itself. It affects families, caregivers, and has broad reaching implications in terms of mental health, education, and even job security,” said Rana Strellis, senior vice president, global culture and corporate social responsibility at Alexion. “Through Rare Belonging, we hope to work with eligible, disease-agnostic nonprofits to help alleviate some of these challenges.”

Rare Belonging is designed to benefit people affected by any of the 6,000 diseases identified in the Global Genes’ RARE list, including patients, their families, and caregivers. Funded programs will assist rare disease patients, families, and communities by providing funding for mental health counseling, education and job skills, transportation and accommodations, and critical needs such as natural disasters or unplanned expenses.

Through Local Needs Grants, the foundation will also contribute a portion of its funding to organizations in the communities where Alexion has a major presence and that align with the mission of the Foundation. Local Needs Grants are focused on helping organizations that serve disadvantaged or disenfranchised people, with a focus on advancing emotional well-being, educational opportunities and the cause of diversity in society and critical institutions.

Photo: Rana Strellis, senior vice president, global culture and corporate social responsibility at Alexion