WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- United Way of Delaware today announced that it has received a $500,000 gift from AstraZeneca U.S. The gift will be directed to United Way’s “Healthy Delawareans Fund,” which supports a network of more than 40 Delaware-based programs that provide a wide range of services to people with health-related issues.
The gift comes in addition to AstraZeneca’s initial 2005 corporate pledge and, along with a recent $500,000 gift from Bank of America, moves United Way of Delaware much closer to its overall 2005 fund-raising goal. The 2005 campaign closes on February 16.
“The Healthy Delawareans Fund helps address the broader health care needs of many of the most vulnerable people in our state,” said Tony Zook, President & Chief Executive Officer of AstraZeneca U.S. “This program is a natural fit for our long-standing relationship with United Way of Delaware, and a living example of the value we place on our responsibility to enhance the health of patients and the communities in which we live and work.”
Commenting on the gift, 2005 Campaign Chair Dr. Lonnie George said, “We are thrilled by AstraZeneca’s generosity and especially pleased that this gift is earmarked for the Healthy Delawareans Fund. Patient needs go beyond what the physician can manage. The Healthy Delawareans Fund supports a network of agencies that offer services like medical transportation, home-delivered meals, health counseling, rehabilitation services, and more. On behalf of the United Way and all the people in our state who will benefit from the programs and services made possible by this and all of the other gifts, I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the people of AstraZeneca.”
Praising AstraZeneca’s commitment to United Way, Lt. Governor John Carney, who chairs the state’s Health Care Commission, said, “This is a tremendously generous contribution that will help a lot of people. There are a number of agencies and nonprofits sponsored by United Way that provide vital services to improve the health and wellness of Delawareans. These services can go a long way to reducing overall health care costs and improving the quality of life of thousands.”
United Way of Delaware
United Way of Delaware was founded in 1946 and has been focusing since then on what matters: changing lives. United Way provides funding to more than 100 social service agencies in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties, and through these agencies helps improve the lives of thousands of people in Delaware. United Way of Delaware coordinates the charitable giving of individuals, organizations, and employees at nearly 1,000 Delaware workplaces every year and is governed by a 40-member board comprised of business, civic, and community leaders who are focused on ensuring the organization’s effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability. For more information or questions about United Way of Delaware, or to make a pledge, please call (302) 573-3700, or visit http://www.uwde.org.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of $23.95 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection products. In the United States, AstraZeneca is a $10.77 billion healthcare business with more than 12,000 employees. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.
For more information about AstraZeneca, please visit: http://www.astrazeneca-us.com
United Way of Delaware
CONTACT: Seandra Sims of United Way of Delaware, +1-302-573-3731,ssims@uwde.org
