Tackling the biggest health problems facing patients and societies around the world requires the combined strength and ingenuity of multiple organizations working together. Heading into the new year, Amgen invited organizations it supports and works with to share highlights of what they accomplished in 2022 and what they're most excited for in 2023 as they work to improve public health and patient outcomes. Their answers are below.
Allergy and Asthma Network: Not One More Life
Lynda Mitchell, MA, CAE
Interim Chief Executive Officer
"Nothing makes us prouder than how our Not One More Life community outreach and asthma coaching program is impacting lives for those with uncontrolled asthma." Not One More Life brings quality healthcare closer to communities disproportionately impacted by asthma.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: HEAL Program
Kenneth Mendez
President & Chief Executive Officer
"The 2022 achievement that stands out is the launch of our Health Equity Advancement and Leadership, or HEAL, program, which is designed to address health disparities in communities that bear the heaviest burden of asthma. With Amgen's support, AAFA selected four local communities to partner with in Detroit, St. Louis, Los Angeles and Chicago."
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network: Blue-Button
Mark Fleury, PhD
Principal, Policy Development for Emerging Science
"With the support of Amgen in 2022, we were excited to move our Blue-Button clinical trial matching project from a concept to a tangible tool, ready to help more patients find cancer clinical trials."
CDC Foundation: Alliance for Million Hearts®
Kinetra Joseph
Campaign Director, Alliance for Million Hearts®
"One moment from 2022 that stands out is when we were in a Los Angeles-based studio recording health edutainment episodes featuring comedian, influencer and radio host KevOnStage in conversation with respected, relatable medical experts. It was informative, but also entertaining and culturally relevant. I knew then that we had something special!"
Global Healthy Living Foundation: Inside Out Disease and BIPOC Patient Voices
Seth Ginsberg
Co-founder, President
"With the support of Amgen, we launched two programs in 2022, InsideOutDisease.org and BIPOC Patient Voices, focused on providing educational resources to help patients understand the implications of untreated psoriatic disease." These GHLF programs empower patients to take an active role in their healthcare journey, including Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).
HEAL Collaborative: Community Initiatives
Howard Mosby, CPA
Board Member, Corporate Treasurer and Interim Chief Operating Officer
"Partnering with Amgen on its commitment to health equity has given us the opportunity to challenge the status quo on how and by whom trusted health information is presented in communities of color." HEAL Collaborative helps to close health gaps in Black communities by partnering with local churches, medical professionals, policymakers and patient advocates.
Lazarex Cancer Foundation: Cancer Wellness Hub
Dana Dornsife
Founder, Chief Mission and Strategy Officer
"With funding from Amgen, we built a service network and launched our inaugural 'pop-up' Cancer Wellness HUB in several underserved communities of color throughout Los Angeles."
LUNGevity Foundation
Andrea Ferris
President and Chief Executive Officer
"One of our proudest achievements in 2022 was growing the KRAS Gateway community with the generous support of Amgen. The Gateways have made an impact by providing specific mutation information and expert resources for both patients and caregivers."
No One Left Alone
Kashyap Patel, MD
NOLA study lead, President of the Community Oncology Alliance
"Through No One Left Alone (NOLA), we are addressing disparities among cancer patients that lead to lower rates of comprehensive biomarker testing, which provide key information that patients can use to guide treatment decisions. I am most proud of creating a pilot in our South Carolina facilities that is scalable and sustainable."
Amgen is working with or supporting more than 70 organizations through cross-sector collaborations, public-private partnerships and advocacy relations programs. Visit this page to learn more: Amgen Patient Advocacy and Strategic Alliances.