CSL got its start in Australia more than 100 years ago and that connection was strongly felt as the world watched devastating bush fires ravage the continent earlier this year.
Though CSL’s 25,000+ employees are spread throughout the globe, together they stepped up with $157,523 AUD in donations to relief efforts. More than 1,000 employees contributed through Red Cross fundraising, a silent auction, a coffee van and old-fashioned bake sales. Our colleagues in Australia, where upwards of $85,000 was raised, called it “a heart-warming example of teamwork at its best.”
CSL gave a $500,000 AUD donation to relief efforts and matched employee giving, for a grand total of $815,046.
Through the effort, multiple charities will benefit, with most of the proceeds going to the Australian Red Cross and wildlife relief. The tragic fires claimed lives and the toll on animals was severe. After many weeks, rains finally extinguished the runaway fires, but efforts to rebuild and recover are expected to take years.
CSL now ranks as the world’s third largest biotech. It includes both CSL Behring, a leading developer of medicines for patients with rare and serious diseases, and Seqirus, one of the world’s largest providers of influenza vaccine. Its corporate home is in Australia, where CSL recently celebrated 25 years on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Like many CSL employees, Chief Communications Officer Anthony Farina is a frequent visitor to Australia, aka “Oz.” Read his thoughts on the ties that bind CSL employees to the continent.
