ATLANTA (May 17, 2023) – Bristol Myers Squibb and the V Foundation for Cancer Research’s partnership for the Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer (C2C4C) ride has been named the winner of a 2023 Silver Halo Award in the Best Employee Engagement Category by Engage for Good. The award was presented to Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and the V Foundation at the Engage for Good Conference in Atlanta, Ga., on May 17.
The Halo Awards are North America’s highest honor for corporate social impact initiatives that showcase outstanding consumer engagement or employee engagement efforts. This marks the 21st year that Engage for Good has rewarded businesses and nonprofits with Halo Awards that recognize outstanding corporate examples of combining brand purpose with social impact.
“As we celebrate a decade of Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer, we are proud to support the V Foundation and make a real difference in the lives of people living with cancer and their families,” said Catherine Owen, senior vice president, general manager of U.S. Cardiovascular, Immunology, and Oncology, Bristol Myers Squibb. “The Halo Award recognizes our Bristol Myers Squibb colleagues who have cycled tens of thousands of miles since 2014 for patients, raised millions of dollars and demonstrated our long-standing commitment to cancer research.”
Beginning in Cannon Beach, Oregon and ending in Long Branch, New Jersey, the ninth annual Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer ride in 2022 covered nearly 3,000 miles over 27 days and gave over 126 employees the opportunity to come together in the fight against cancer. With a $500,000 match from BMS, the ride raised over $1.5 million toward game-changing cancer research.
“Our partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb for the Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer ride is one of the most unique partnerships the V Foundation has ever had, and one that we are proud to be a part of,” said Shane Jacobson, Chief Executive Officer at the V Foundation. “These inspired riders commit to months of training and fundraising, all with the shared goal of supporting game-changing cancer research. I’m very thankful for our relationship with the BMS team, and proud of the well-deserved recognition in the Halo Award.”
The event, which launched with a group of oncology employees in 2014, has grown into a staple for the New Jersey-based biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. The V Foundation became the beneficiary of the ride in 2018, and the event has raised more than $8 million for the organization over the past five years.
Also at the Engage for Good Conference, ESPN, founding partner of the V Foundation, was awarded the 2023 Gold Halo Award by Engage for Good for its charitable work with various organizations in the past year, including the V Foundation.
“It’s inspiring to witness the social impact that well-conceived and executed corporate-backed programs can have in a world that needs all the help it can get to counter enormous problems,” said Engage for Good President David Hessekiel. “This year’s winners reflect the tremendous diversity of causes and strategies that companies embrace to sustainably build a better world.”
A full list of this year’s Halo Award winners (and a searchable database of case studies from past winners) can be found at http://www.engageforgood.com/halo-awards.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded over $310 million in game-changing cancer research grants nationwide through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations is awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to accelerating Victory Over Cancer®. To learn more, visit v.org.
About Engage for Good
Engage for Good, producer of the Engage for Good conference and Halo Awards, is a professional development organization that helps corporate social impact leaders at businesses and nonprofits access the resources and community they need in order to build a better world and the bottom line. While best known for its annual conference and the Halo Awards, Engage for Good provides year-round resources, trainings and events to help corporate social impact professionals advance their careers, campaigns and organizations. A wealth of information on cause marketing, corporate social impact programs and Engage for Good’s offerings can be found at www.engageforgood.com.
Contact:
Mykala Healy
mhealy@coynepr.com
973-588-2069
