Interactive website to support cancer patients

Dec 2 2009

Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company today announced the launch of an interactive website in support of the Company’s award-winning global initiative to support patients with cancer. The website, www.1000CranesofHope.com, is designed to inspire hope in cancer patients and their families around the world by allowing them an opportunity to create their own wishes of strength and healing in the fight against cancer.

The website and the physical display at the Company’s headquarters, embody the ancient Japanese legend known as “Senbazuru,” which promises the granting of a wish of good health or recovery from illness to anyone who folds 1,000 origami cranes. The Cranes of Hope display located in the lobbies of the Company’s Cambridge, Massachusetts headquarters, features the handwritten wishes of 1,000 patients, caregivers, employees, and healthcare providers that have been folded into origami cranes and then individually silver-leafed. They now hang together as a symbol of hope and Millennium’s commitment to patients. The website extends participation in this spirit of hope to patients and their caregivers around the world.

“We have a bold vision at Millennium: We Aspire to Cure Cancer,” said Deborah Dunsire, M.D., President and CEO, Millennium. “Our hope is that the interactive website will inspire a broader community and unite us in the fight against cancer.”

In addition to the hanging cranes, the display also features a touch screen kiosk where users can learn more about the legend and the display, as well as search for wishes already made for the fight against cancer. Both the display and the interactive kiosk recently received distinction at the CLIO Healthcare Awards, which is one of the world’s most prestigious award competitions for advertising, design and interactive marketing.

With the launch of the campaign’s latest addition: www.1000CranesofHope.com, people worldwide can now become part of this global effort. Every visitor can create a personal wish that will become part of the virtual Cranes of Hope. For each wish created on the site, Millennium will make a donation to a local charity that provides aid to cancer patients. Additionally, patients and their families can find information on cancer research, local support groups and patient advocacy foundations on the website.