ROCHE CHILDREN’S WALK IN MALAYSIA RAISED RM63,200 TO HELP DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN

M-MY-00000943-08-2022

Expiry: 05-08-2024 unless superseded by a newer version

SELANGOR, August 11, 2022 – United in one heart and mind, each year, thousands of staff from across the global offices of Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche, put on their walking shoes in support of children in need who deserve a helping hand towards a brighter future.

In Malaysia, the scenario was no different but was marked by an additional ‘achievement’. After 2 years of raising funds virtually due to Covid-19, the staff from Roche Pharmaceuticals, Diagnostics and Services & Solutions divisions came together with renewed fervour to successfully raise the highest funds to date of RM63,200 and make a difference for disadvantaged children.

These funds are being equally channelled to Rumah Kanak-Kanak Triniti and Shelter Home for Children to help them continue with their good work to provide food, shelter, clothing, guidance and care for vulnerable children.

“It’s been great to witness the energy, excitement and enthusiasm of staff rallying together to support needy children in Malaysia. As a community of colleagues, we have found much joy in meaningfully doing our part to make a difference, backed by the knowledge that we are all part of a heart-warming global movement to drive betterment and empower change in society. It has also brought us closer together as a team,” said Deepti Saraf, General Manager of Roche Malaysia.

For two months, Roche Malaysia employees launched various fund-raising initiatives, from bidding events that saw leadership team members showcase their talents, to booth sales that included sales of employee designed t-shirts, caps and umbrellas. It culminated with a walk involving more than 400 Roche employees from the Roche office in Sunway Pinnacle to Sunway University. The physical walk was held after a two-year hiatus although other fund-raising initiatives continued during the pandemic.

Roche Children’s Walk is the company’s largest employee-driven fundraising event to give back to society by supporting projects through the legally independent global charity Roche Employee Action and Charity Trust (Re&Act), as well as local projects in over 60 countries where it operates.

Each year has also seen an uptake of involvement by Roche staff globally with 2021 surpassing previous records with 26,000 people from 138 sites across 60 countries involved. In 2020, 18,000 staff took part. With Roche’s 125th Anniversary this year, they expect to record significant involvement to mark the milestone celebration.

Speaking on behalf of Rumah Kanak-Kanak Trinity, Mary Moses, the Administrator, said, “During the COVID19-pandemic, our expenses depleted our funds and we ran into financial difficulty. The funds from the 2021 Roche Children’s Walk was a lifeline for us. We are appreciative of Roche's contribution as we are not regular recipients of public donations. We have significant monthly expenses which include rental, food supplies and other necessities especially now that schools are reopened. Roche’s contribution enables us to carry on our work in providing a safe and comfortable home for the children. Our biggest wish is to get a permanent home instead of paying a hefty rental, so that the children can have a secure place to stay.”

Jerry Choo, Public Relations Executive at Shelter Home for Children, shared, “Shelter was established in 1981 to shelter children who were abused, abandoned, neglected or at-risk and to develop them into mature and responsible members of society. The Roche Children’s Walk initiative serves to motivate us to work harder to achieve the mission of ensuring that these children are given a chance in life through proper sheltering and nurturing. This allows them to become effective and productive members of society in the future.”

Choo added that the home was grateful to be selected as fund recipient for the second year. “Last year’s funds helped pay for tuition for the children to improve on their weak subjects. We also supported two residents to pursue a vocational course to study culinary arts and a Foundation course,” he said.

Since the first Roche Children’s Walk in 2003, more than 274,000 Roche employees have raised over CHF 21 million (RM 98 million) in donations for children’s projects relating to education, nutrition, primary healthcare and social development around the world. All funds raised are matched by the company.

About Roche

Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, as well as growing capabilities in the area of data-driven medical insights help Roche deliver truly personalised healthcare. Roche is working with partners across the healthcare sector to provide the best care for each person.

Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. In recent years, Roche has invested in genomic profiling and real-world data partnerships and has become an industry-leading partner for medical insights.

Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. More than thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Moreover, for the twelfth consecutive year, Roche has been recognised as one of the most sustainable companies in the Pharmaceuticals Industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2020 employed more than 100,000 people worldwide. In 2020, Roche invested CHF 12.2 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 58.3 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit

Roche has been present in Malaysia since the 1970s, when the sales and distribution of products was managed by a third party distributor. Since then, Roche has established its operations to include Roche (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., the pharmaceutical business; Roche Diagnostics (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., the diagnostics business and Roche Services (Asia Pacific) Sdn. Bhd. (also referred to as Roche Services & Solutions APAC). With a total staff strength of over 1,000, Roche has grown into one of the leading healthcare companies in Malaysia that provides holistic healthcare solutions to healthcare practitioners and patients. For more information, please visit.

About Roche Children’s Walk: A day powered by Roche employees

Roche Children’s Walk is the company’s global signature employee project. Since the first company-wide walk in 2003, more than 274,000 Roche employees have participated, raising more than CHF 21 million. All money collected by employees is matched by Roche and used to support local children’s causes in communities where Roche operates, as well as in developing countries such as Malawi, Ethiopia and the Philippines. Funds are applied to local NGOs or channeled through the Roche Employee Action and Charity Trust (Re&Act), a legally independent charity.

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