As a company, we are on a mission to help patients around the world with severe and chronic diseases lead better, healthier lives. For the second year running, more than 300 Vifor Pharma employees across our sites in Switzerland put their best foot forward, and participated in the Kidney Walk.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common and affects up to 15%[1] across the adult population. Prevalence rates continue to grow worldwide as the population ages. Vifor Pharma continues to develop products and solutions related to declining renal function, with the vision to becoming a global pharmaceutical leader in nephrology therapies.
“This year’s Kidney Walk marked an important step forward in helping to raise awareness of CKD and its associated conditions. By continuing to educate ourselves, as a company we are better able to understand and serve the needs of our patients”, said Michael Puri, Chief HR Officer.
What happened on the day?
Our colleagues in Zurich, St. Gallen and Villars-sur-Glâne took part in this year’s Kidney Walk, with Vifor Pharma donating to charities supporting patients with Kidney conditions on behalf of every employee taking part. The event was a great success, with charitable contributions made to the National Kidney Foundation for CHF 10’000 Association of Kidney Patients of Catalonia – CHF 5’000 and the Swiss Kidney Association – CHF 5’000 (presented in St. Gallen). Individual participants also donated.
At our Zurich Site
At our site in Zurich, the day was kicked of with a business presentation, highlighting the importance of the nephrology therapeutic area. Visiting nephrologist and member of the board, Prof. Dr. Michel Burnier, presented an overview of chronic kidney disease and its associated conditions. Also visiting on the day, was CKD patient and president of Catalan Patient Organisation – ADER, Antonio Tombas. Antonio presented a moving account of life living as a patient with kidney disease and the various treatments and services available to him. Despite warm temperatures in Zurich on the day, over 150 enthusiastic employees took part in the 3.5km walk followed by a healthy lunch afterwards.
St. Gallen and Villars-sur-Glâne
At our St. Gallen Site, Dr. Isabelle Binet, Head of Nephrology/Transplantation Medicine at the Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen and President of the Swiss Renal Foundation was met with a warm welcome and many questions during the morning presentations. This was then followed by 42 colleagues participating in the Firmenlauf B2run (which was combined with the Kidney Walk).
In Villars-sur-Glâne, 90 employees started at the local site and walked through the local forest. At the end of the walk, a well-earned lunch and light refreshments were served.
References: [1] Vifor Pharma, data on file
