Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated today announced that approximately 800 employees took part in Vertex’s first companywide Day of Service, which was held on Friday, September 18, 2009. As part of the Day of Service, approximately 600 employees at Vertex’s headquarters in Cambridge, MA took part in volunteer activities, in addition to 100 employees in San Diego, 6 in Iowa and 80 in the U.K. Vertex plans to hold the Day of Service event annually, allowing its employees the opportunity to spend one day a year volunteering at a variety charities and community organizations. The event, officially known as the Joshua Boger Day of Service, was held to honor Vertex’s founder and long-time CEO, Joshua Boger, Ph.D., who retired earlier in 2009. Dr. Boger served at the Greater Boston Food Bank as part of the Day of Service and also spoke to 40 students taking part in science experiments at Vertex’s headquarters in Cambridge.
Healthy lifestyle choices can offset genetic risk for brain diseases