Emergency delivery of lifesaving medicine inspires ABC fundraiser supporting rare disorder research
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. - The AmerisourceBergen Foundation and AmerisourceBergen associates on Thursday announced two donations totaling $32,000 to support rare disorder research. The donations were awarded to the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders and the National Organization for Rare Disorders, two non-profit organizations devoted to identifying and treating rare disorders through patient services and education, advocacy and research programs.
The donations were inspired by a 13-hour, nearly 600-mile overnight truck delivery to provide lifesaving treatment to a newborn at a Toronto hospital on Christmas Day. On Dec. 23, 2015, ICS, a part of AmerisourceBergen, received a request to ship a specific medication to the hospital for a baby suffering from a rare condition that, if left untreated, could result in death. The prescribed medication is not traditionally available in Canada, so upon receiving the approval from Health Canada at mid-afternoon on Christmas Eve, the ICS team reopened its distribution center to process the order.
With no flights available, a team of ICS, World Courier and Innomar Strategies associates developed a plan to deliver the treatment within the tight timeframe. The plan, which included multiple drivers and several shipment handoffs, kicked off at 7:35 p.m. in Louisville, Ky. After receiving clearance at the Canadian border at 4:11 a.m., the final World Courier driver loaded the shipment and reached the hospital at 8:35 a.m., ultimately delivering the medication in time to save the baby’s life.
“Our associates’ commitment to overcoming obstacles and delivering the life-saving treatment in time underscores our patient-centered approach to healthcare,” said Doug Cook, president of Global Specialty Logistics at AmerisourceBergen. “We recognize that certain situations require unique solutions, and we’re able to leverage our resources and expertise to ensure patients receive the medication they need, when they need it.”
“Every day, we work to shape health care delivery, so we’re proud of how both our associates and the AmerisourceBergen Foundation responded to this lifesaving delivery and rallied to further support rare disorder research,” said Esperanza Neu, executive director of the AmerisourceBergen Foundation and VP workplace services, diversity and community relations at AmerisourceBergen. “We’re grateful that we can support leading non-profits as they pursue their mission to promote research, diagnosis and treatment for rare disorders.”
AmerisourceBergen has previously worked with CORD and NORD to further support rare disease research. Innomar Strategies, the leading Canadian service provider for specialty pharmaceuticals and a part of AmerisourceBergen, partners with CORD to bring awareness to rare disorders through a variety of events, including interactive seminars.