Through content and applications, the latest information useful for healthcare is widely and continuously posted and disseminated. We also cooperate with and hold seminars for citizens to raise awareness of diseases and provide accurate information. In FY2023, seven seminars were held focusing on areas such as rheumatism, chronic kidney disease, etc., with approximately 500 participants.

We have been producing a radio program called "The Moment of Change" since April 2020 in which we disseminate information about "today" and the "future" that we learn from cancer survivors. We invite celebrated cancer survivors who are active in various areas and they talk about their feelings when they found out that they had cancer, their mindset when they faced cancer, the triggers that helped them be positive, and more. We support patients with cancer and cancer survivors through the radio program with the view to pass a baton of hope to everyone who fights cancer.

We have participated in Relay for Life (RFL) as a part of our social contribution activities since FY2014. Relay for Life is a charity activity project conducted by the Japan Cancer Society and the National Action Council of Relay for Life aiming to deal with and overcome cancer. Many employees have been actively participating in the RFL events mainly at the locations where our research institutes, plants, and sales offices reside. From FY2020 to FY2022, however, the RFL events were scaled back or canceled in even more locations due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). From FY2023, we began carrying out full-fledged efforts to participate in the events held in each region, with 305 employees taking part nationwide across Japan.

We have started a new “message flag” activity at our company booth set up at the Relay for Life venue since FY2022. In this activity, we ask participants to write down their thoughts to our employees on the "message flag," which facilitates communication between our employees and participants. We will continue to utilize the Relay for Life events as opportunities to provide support for cancer patients and their families.

In addition, we also participate in the online Self Walk Relay (SWR), which has been held since 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. SWR is a charity event in which anyone can participate by downloading an app onto their smartphone and walking while thinking about cancer patients. The funds collected from participation fees will be used to help operate the Cancer Consultation Hotline, which responds to concerns from and provides consultations to cancer patients and their families. In FY2023, 473 employees throughout Japan participated in SWR.

There are considered to be approximately 250,000 children under long-term care throughout Japan who undergo medical treatment for several months, several years, or longer. Due to long-term hospitalization and painful treatment, there are many children who get older without experiencing the same things as other children of similar age. ONO supports and works with an authorized NPO, Being ALIVE Japan, which works closely with these children and engages in activities "to form a team to achieve the best childhood, or 'youth,' for children requiring long-term care." In FY2023, we cooperated with holding four sporting events hosted by Being ALIVE Japan for children under long-term care and 43 ONO employees in total participated in the events as volunteers.
In September, the first event in the Kansai area, "TEAMMATES SPORTS CAMP 2003 in Kansai," was held through the sole support of ONO in Shiawase-no-Mura, Kobe, Hyogo. The sporting camp was 2 days and one night and nine families participated in the event. Children received lessons from members of university sports clubs and professional athletes and joined in curling, rugby, lacrosse, and other sports that they had never experienced before. Nineteen ONO employees participated as volunteers, assisted in the sports and supported family members. In addition, in this sporting camp, with the expectation that participants would learn about our ingenuity in manufacturing medicines, become interested in the medicine, and change their approach to medicine, we also held our unique workshop, "Kusuri no Himitsu Manabu." Children in white coats engaged in experiments to dissolve tablets and observed how tablets dissolved with fascination.
The sporting camp was introduced in the newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, and the YOMIURI ONLINE. The article is available here (available only in Japanese).

Since FY2014, ONO has been a constant supporting member of a public interest incorporated foundation, "Solaputi Kids’ Camp"(Takikawa City, Hokkaido), a campsite with on-site medical care that is a dream for children with illness.
Since FY2021, we have been supporting a new project "Snow Gift" that started under a situation where the campsite operation had to be reduced due to the impact of COVID-19. The "Snow Gift" is a project where fresh powder snow at the campsite is placed in a box and delivered to children hospitalized in medical institutions in areas without snow so that they can enjoy playing in the snow. However, there were cases where the Snow Gift was not delivered smoothly in the hospital and the snow in the box melted. Therefore, ONO's MRs(Medical Representatives), who visit and engage in activities at the target hospitals on regular basis, provide support as "Snow Delivery Volunteers" by receiving boxes from the package delivery company and directly delivering "fresh snow" to the person in charge of each medical institution.
In FY2023, ONO's MRs handed out Snow Gifts from "Solaputi Kids’ Camp" to persons in charge at 13 medical institutions in January and February 2024. We were able to give the joy of playing in the snow to in-hospital children who have no opportunities to play with snow. Later, we received compliments and letters from the children who played with the snow and their parents and medical staff members. ONO's employees who participated in this activity commented that they were so happy to help with "delivering joy (the snow)."

Psycho-oncology, which focuses on the psychological aspects of cancer, is beginning to attract attention in Taiwan, with importance placed on provision of treatment based on the understanding of the psychological, social, and behavioral responses of cancer patients. In the context of these circumstances, in 2023, ONO PHARMA TAIWAN conducted activities under the theme of “mental healthcare for cancer patients,” in which 13 cancer patients participated in all activities and 45 patients participated in an online lecture.
After a lecture by Dr. Chun-Kai Fang, a leading psycho-oncologist, a session of art therapy using plants was held in the morning, in which participants enjoyed making wreaths from succulents. Plant art therapy is considered beneficial for stress reduction, because it stimulates the sensory nerves of participants as they touch wire, plants, soil, etc., while working with them, and helps participants express their emotions by creating artwork. In an afternoon session, participants enjoyed interacting with therapy animals.

ONO PHARMA USA carries out various social contribution activities throughout the year that are aimed at supporting cancer patients and survivors in the U.S.
In 2023, Employees donated to the American Cancer Society a Senbazuru, fleece blankets, and get-well cards that they made during the 2nd Anniversary meeting to the Hope Lodge, an American Cancer Society program that provides free rooms for cancer patients who travel long distances to receive treatment in major U.S. cities, including Boston. An ancient tradition in Japan, Senbazuru are one thousand origami folded paper cranes threaded together to grant wishes and give hope for a sick person to get well.
In addition, employees also participated in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s "Light The Night" annual event to support research into blood cancer treatments. Employees walked with lanterns, showing support for blood cancer patients and the need for more treatment options. On the previous day, a survivor who had overcome non-hodgkin's lymphoma shared his diagnosis and treatment journey with employees, reinforcing ONO’s mission as a pharmaceutical company.

In 2023, ONO PHARMA KOREA became a vigorous supporter of the childhood cancer NGO “Hanbit Love Support Association”. In South Korea, virtually all major hospitals for pediatric cancer treatment are located in inner-city districts, which unfortunately places a financial and emotional burden on patients and family members who need to travel long distances to receive treatment from such facilities. The “Hanbit Love House,” which is operated by the Hanbit Love Support Association, is an accommodation facility that can be used by children with cancer and their families when their child is hospitalized or making regular visits to a hospital.
Under the social-contribution-activity theme of “providing emotional care to patients,” the company donated not only funds, but also acrylic mood lights to Hanbit Love House. These lights were created by the employees of ONO PHARMA KOREA and include messages and illustrations that convey the employees’ support and encouragement for children with cancer and their families.

In the UK, where the culture of donation is deeply rooted, donations are made through various events. In FY2023, ONO PHARMA UK held "THE BIG BAKE", a charity event to support patients battling tumours by selling pastries and cakes prepared by employees in the office. The proceeds were donated to The Brain Tumour Charity, the world's largest dedicated funder of brain tumour research, and promotor of brain tumour awareness, and early diagnosis. The charity also provides information to patients and their families affected by brain tumours.

World Cancer Day is a global initiative of the UICC (Union for International Cancer Control), which originated from the Cancer Summit held in Paris on February 4, 2000. This day is an important opportunity for people around the world to think together, make commitments, and take concrete action against the common enemy of cancer.
From October to November 2024, the Ono Group conducted a walking campaign for all employees, including those at Group companies around the world, and their families, with the aim of promoting health and contributing to society. This campaign is designed to support World Cancer Day according to the number of participants and the total number of their steps. The result was about 3,600 people from the entire Group participated, walking together as one with cancer patients in mind. This sentiment led to great support for World Cancer Day 2025.

(Reference)

About World Cancer Day

Ono Pharma supports World Cancer Day 2025 (Japanese only)

We actively cooperate with the blood donation activities of the Japanese Red Cross Society. In FY2023, blood donations were collected using a mobile blood donation unit at the Minase Research Institution, Fujiyama Plant, Yamaguchi Plant, and the Head office. At the Head Office, bone-marrow registration applications were also received.