A Company-Wide Movement Against Cancer

IPS-Integrated Project Services, LLC, a technical consulting, architecture, and engineering firm in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, wants to play a larger role in driving progress against cancer. To that end, they partnered with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) to develop a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative that engages their employees in raising awareness and funds for cancer research. The collaboration also aligned with an IPS corporate initiative to promote employee wellness.

One of the first activities was a “Pink Out” dress-down day fundraiser on October 16, 2019 during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Shortly after, Shannon Gallagher-Colombo, PhD, from the AACR, spoke to employees during a company-organized Lunch and Learn. She shared information about the latest advancements and progress against cancer based on findings in the 2019 AACR Cancer Progress Report.

While some planned activities were put on hold due to the pandemic, IPS did participate in the May the 4th Virtual 4K event, hosted by Epic Races, to benefit the AACR. Planned prior to the start of the pandemic, this virtual event was well-timed to help ensure IPS employees could stay connected to the CSR initiative.

“Our corporate mission is to enable our clients to create and manufacture lifesaving products around the world,” said Dianne Hart, global vice president and chief human resources officer at IPS. “So, the partnership with the AACR is a special one for us. It provides our employees the opportunity to collectively rally around a positive philanthropic initiative to help accelerate the prevention and cure of cancer.”

IPS hopes their collaboration with the AACR will help raise awareness of the disease and offer opportunities for the company to unite with other corporations in support of cancer research. They plan to develop more activities and virtual events to promote their involvement with the AACR.