Cycling to Combat Cancer

The "Thermo Fisher Flyers" from the Scientific Instruments business in Altrincham, United Kingdom, participated in the Manchester 100 charity ride to raise money for The Christie, one of the largest cancer research and treatment centers in Europe, and the American Cancer Society. Each team member — about one third of the site's 60 employees — rode either 100 miles or 100 kilometers.

Through raffles, lunches, contests and online pledges, the team raised funds, some of which were matched by the informatics business. "It's very motivating, as not only are we raising money for cancer, but we are pursuing a healthy activity," said Kevin Smith, Director of Sales and Site Leader for Altrincham. "It certainly captures the essence of our mission of enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer." Toni Crosthwaite, Support Analyst, added, "Wiping out cancer completely may be a long way in the distance, but the more money we raise the closer we get to that goal."

The ride was personal for many participants and one team member had even received treatment at Christie. Partner Manager Steve Kemp, who rode for the first time this year, was treated several years ago for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Since his return to work, the Altrincham site has held several fundraisers to support the center. "It was great to get back to work," said Steve. "And it has been made even more memorable by providing contributions totaling £16,000 [more than $25,000] to Christie, raised by my colleagues and supported by Thermo Fisher."

Supporting Science Education in Shanghai

The Zhulin Migrant School in the Pudong district of Shanghai serves 600 students, all from the families of migrant workers, and lacks sufficient teaching facilities and resources. Thermo Fisher's China operations have donated lab supplies and are launching a science education program, with local employees volunteering their assistance in the new classes. The company also donated sporting goods and is sponsoring a year-long athletics program.

Supporting Healthier, Cleaner, Safer Communities through United Way

U.S.-based employees showed their support for individuals, families, and communities in need by generously contributing to United Way. Despite the difficult economy, employees donated more in 2009 than in previous years, demonstrating their strong commitment to supporting valuable programs in their communities. Total contributions from more than 2,000 employees in all U.S. locations and the company reached $555,000. Some sites held fundraisers — like this car wash — to raise additional contributions and employees at 10 sites generated total donations of $10,000 or more.

United Way is a worldwide network in 45 countries and territories that creates opportunities for a better life by focusing on education, income, and health. Thermo Fisher's yearly donation helps United Way create lasting community change by addressing the underlying problems that prevent progress in these areas.

Inspiring Science Education

The Fisher Science Education team in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, hosted an innovative teacher workshop that introduced new tools, technologies and applications to more than 50 science teachers. The workshop allowed teachers to learn about and test the latest scientific products.

The workshop allowed teachers to test many of the new products and learn from product representatives themselves how they work. "They get exposed to new technologies, new methods and ways of approaching science in the classroom," explained Charlie Lang, National Director of Sales for FSE. "The positive effect is not necessarily what you read out of a textbook. Fisher Science Education has strength in being hands-on, and teachers — just like students — want to get their hands on the products."

Among the devices and applications explored during the workshop were SkyScout™, Personal Planetarium™ and the portable FirstScope Telescope, all of which help teachers bring the night sky into the classroom. Others included NeuLOG™, which converts raw data into graphs, tables, text and video; laboratory imaging software for microscopes; chemistry kits; and a board game based on National Science Education Standards. Teachers also benefited from a demonstration of electrophoresis techniques (see photo) that will enrich students in their advanced biology classes.

Riding to Raise MS Awareness

Several employees in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, informatics business have a long-standing tradition of participating in the annual MS-150, a charitable bike ride that benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The five-person team joined a field of 1,500 riders in a challenging 75-mile course, raising money and having fun. "It was fun to do the event," said Samantha Osmer, who added that the ride is not as hard as people may think. "There's no doubt it's easier to ride a bicycle 75 miles than to live with the ongoing effects of multiple sclerosis."

Showing their Hearts

More than 35 West Palm Beach, Florida, employees participated in the Start! Heart Walk, raising funds for the American Heart Association and beating their goal.

Prior to the event, the team organized fundraisers, held a t-shirt design contest, and challenged each other to go beyond the donation goal. Saraka Riggon, Human Resources Generalist and Heart Walk team organizer, said, "The Involvement and Intensity from the employees could not be surpassed," she said. "It was such a wonderful event, and going above and beyond the goal was an accomplishment we are so proud of!"

Supporting Cancer Patients and Research

Employees in Loughborough, United Kingdom, hosted a coffee morning as part of the "World's Biggest Coffee Morning" fundraising campaign for Macmillan Cancer Support, which helps to improve the lives of those living with cancer. Through the event, people donate the cost of a cup of coffee to Macmillan. Organized by Tina Siena and Gail Walker, the Loughborough event raised funds through the sale of coffee and baked goods donated by employees.

The Wilmslow, United Kingdom, facility held a "Wear it Pink" campaign, raising money for breast cancer research. Employees paid to wear pink clothes and costumes to work, held games, hosted a "pink wafer biscuit-eating challenge," and agreed to dye their hair pink in exchange for additional donations.

Racing Against Domestic Violence

For three years, teams of employees in Langenselbold, Germany, participated in the Hanau City Run Against Domestic Violence. Most recently, proceeds from the 6-kilometer race were donated to women's shelters in Hanau and Wächtersbach. According to team member Silvia Plaum, the event enabled Langenselbold employees to work together and raise money and awareness for an important cause. "Through this event, we were able to support local women and their children who have to leave their homes to escape domestic violence," she said.

Giving Students an Inside Look

Thermo Fisher's Scientific Instruments business in Bremen, Germany, welcomed five students in grades 5-10 for "Girls and Boys Day," a nationwide career orientation program in which companies invite pupils to visit the workplace and meet with employees. As they explored the engineering department, the assembly line and the test field, the students learned about the different business functions at the facility. In one session, they followed an instrument's path from the design stage through assembly and testing and on to packaging.

Starting School with a Smile

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, students whose families cannot afford school supplies got a helping hand from employees in the Cellular Imaging and Analysis business. The team filled 39 backpacks with notebooks, pencils, pens, scissors and other essential items, donating them to the Light of Life Rescue Mission.

Having a new book bag and supplies on the first day of school not only helps a child stay organized and more focused on learning, but provides the confidence that comes with carrying a new book bag like everyone else.

Making Meals Possible

A team of 14 employees from Massachusetts and New Hampshire spent an evening at the Greater Boston Food Bank sorting three tons of food — enough to provide more than 3,900 meals. The food bank, which distributes food to some 600 hunger-relief agencies in Massachusetts, depends on volunteers to inspect, sort and repack the items for distribution.

Scott Jubeck, Senior Associate with Thermo Fisher's Graduate Leadership Development Program, organized the event. "In line with 'One Thermo Fisher' and our value of Involvement, this was a great way to get our colleagues from different parts of the company together as one team to give back to our community."

Rebuilding New Orleans

When the Analytical Technologies business held a large meeting in New Orleans, employees took time out to help the city's ongoing rebuilding effort from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. More than 500 employees pitched in to help renovate Lafayette Academy, a grade K-7 charter school hard hit by Katrina.

Thermo Fisher employees tackled painting, landscaping and renovating the school's facilities. "You folks show our folks you really care," Lafayette Board Chairman Jim Huger told participants. Employee Tony Hart commented, as he painted a hallway, "It's always good when you sweat together for a good cause."

Another employee team contributed their time and skills to the New Orleans Chapter of Habitat for Humanity International, which was developing new housing in the Upper Ninth Ward, scene of Katrina's worst devastation. The Thermo Fisher team volunteered to work in the new neighborhood called Musician's Village, planned for musicians who lost their homes.

Cleaning Up the Beaches

Employees at Thermo Fisher's Process Instruments business in San Diego are doing their part to keep public beaches clean. A team of employees joined the Adopt-a-Beach program run by the non-profit organization, I Love a Clean San Diego, which asks companies to participate in three beach cleanup days over the course of a year.

The Thermo Fisher team has twice tackled the cleanup of the Bayside Silver Strand in Coronado. In its second outing, the team collected more than 150 pounds of trash from the beach.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Canada Honored for Relief Efforts

Thermo Fisher Scientific's support for Health Partners International of Canada drew recognition from the aid organization and from Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. A long-time supporter, Thermo Fisher Scientific's Canada office donated laboratory instruments to war relief in Afghanistan.

At the ceremony honoring Thermo Fisher and other corporate sponsors, Health Partners and Prime Minister Harper thanked the companies for their generosity in supporting the organization's mission to provide medical supplies and equipment to developing countries and victims of natural disasters.

"Roughing It" for Disaster Relief

In England, a Thermo Fisher team from the Scientific Instruments business in Runcorn participated in the ShelterBox Challenge to survive overnight in the rough terrain of Dartmoor National Park using only minimal survival tools.

The Thermo Fisher team raised money for the ShelterBox program of Rotary Club International. ShelterBoxes containing emergency relief supplies are sent by Rotary International to scenes of natural disasters. The four-person team successfully covered 30 miles of difficult terrain over two days, supplied only with minimal equipment carried in a ShelterBox.