Today’s consumers are more intelligent and more enlightened than ever before. They don’t just want premium products and high-quality services, they want brands that align with their personal beliefs and values. Consumers expect companies to be more responsible and proactive when it comes to social and environmental issues that don’t necessarily impact their business.
This is why corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become an important business activity. It demonstrates to the consumers that a company is not solely focused on financial gains but also gives importance to matters like public health, environmental protection, and sustainable development. CSR shows a company’s willingness to make a difference, whether it be in their own field, in allied industries, or in issues beyond the purview of their business.
A truly sincere, well-meaning CSR program is also a huge contributor to a company’s overall positive image. It builds an impression of an organization that is ethical and humanitarian, and therefore trustworthy and deserving of support.
These are just a few of the reasons why Wristband Creation, a leading provider of premium and wholesale wristbands, is a proud sponsor and donor to various non-profit organizations. We’re not just focused on providing the best wristbands to our customers, we are also dedicated in supporting other groups that promote worthwhile causes. We believe that by helping these groups, we can change the world, one wristband at a time. Here are some of them:
Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation
Did you know that among the global top 10 causes of death, only Alzheimer’s disease cannot be prevented, cured, or slowed down? This is an even more troubling statistic when you consider that more than 44 million people in the world suffer from this neurodegenerative disease. An estimated 200,000 of them are Americans under the age of 65 who have already been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
This makes the discovery and development of a cure for Alzheimer’s disease even more important. To date, there are only treatments that temporarily slow down the effects of dementia and other symptoms, but no preventive medications or a cure for Alzheimer’s itself.
This is why the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) focuses on using decades’ worth of research and scientific knowledge about Alzheimer’s to hopefully develop drugs and therapies that can conquer the disease. What’s more, the ADDF supports, in particular, an underfunded area in Alzheimer’s disease research: preclinical drug discovery and early-stage clinical trials.
Projects in these stages of Alzheimer’s research are not yet as far along in the drug development pipeline, which is why they have difficulties in gaining financial support from pharmaceutical companies and other funders. And because of the lack of funding, these early stages are where promising solutions “die,” as they get shelved and ultimately end up forgotten and unexplored. However, ADDF recognizes the potential of these programs and assumes this risk of failure to bridge this critical financial gap.
With enough support from its partners and sponsors, the ADDF has enabled leading scientists around the world to further look into pioneering ideas to prevent, treat, and cure Alzheimer’s disease.
We at Wristband Creation believe in the importance of medical research, which is why we are one of the proud sponsors of the ADDF Team—the Runners for Alzheimer’s Research—during the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon.
Canadian Liver Foundation
There are a lot of misconceptions about liver disease, including those which say that it is a consequence of alcoholism, that only adults can suffer from it, and that Hepatitis C is a “disease of drug addicts.” Our friends in Canada—where one in four people may be affected by liver disease, and most do not even have an idea that they have it—would like to clear up these false beliefs and more.
The Canadian Liver Foundation (CLF) was founded in 1969 by a group of business leaders and doctors who made it their mission to bring liver research to life for all Canadians. By investing in liver disease research and supporting both senior and junior scientists as well as medical students, CLF aims to help discover new ways to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure liver disease. Apart from fueling medical breakthroughs, research is also instrumental in that it helps improve the lives of patients and protects those who are at risk for liver disease.
CLF also has a national helpline, which aims to provide assistance to people with liver disease (as well as their loved ones and caregivers) by answering their questions, helping them understand their medical condition, and assisting them in procuring the resources they need. They also have a Peer Support Network that helps them connect with other people who are affected by liver disease.
Finally, CLF aims to properly educate people on how to protect and keep their liver in good shape and prevent liver disease through healthy lifestyle choices. They are also advocating for more accessible and better screening, treatment, and patient care options by working with relevant government agencies, community organizations, and health care providers.
Wristband Creation is a strong supporter of the CLF’s five-pronged approach—research, community, patient support, education, and advocacy—in bringing liver research to life for all Canadians. We supported their Stroll for Liver initiative in Toronto this 2017.
KELY Support Group
Mary McLeod Bethune once said, “We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward good ends.” This is what KELY Support Group embodies, as they fulfill their mission to empower young people to reach their full potential.
KELY Support Group is a non-government organization in Hong Kong which provides support to young people between the ages of 14 and 24, most especially from the Chinese-speaking and English-speaking backgrounds and those from ethnic minorities. Their programs center on youth development by understanding the perspective of these young people and equipping them with the necessary life skills as they journey through adulthood.
KELY has three core services: (1) prevention education and harm reduction, which includes helping young people make informed decisions through proper education about drugs and alcohol use; (2) positive youth development, by providing opportunities for the exploration and development of life skills and creativity; and (3) advocacy, which involves raising awareness about issues that the youth face in Hong Kong, through the wise use of mass media, social media, and public outreach. KELY Support Group also works toward influencing policy development and funding decisions to further support and respond to the needs of the youth.
Wristband Creation has been one of KELY’s long-term supporters and donors, because we believe as KELY does that an empowered youth is a valuable asset to every society.
Nicasa Behavioral Health Services
Behavioral and social health, much like mental health, are often misrepresented not only because the field is underfunded and underserved, there are also several misconceptions about the conditions and disorders that patients experience. Nicasa Behavioral Health Services, which was originally founded to champion a more human approach in dealing with issues of recovering alcoholics, aims to improve this situation in their home state of Illinois and beyond.
Since its inception in 1966, Nicasa has become a leader in the field of substance abuse intervention and mental health services. Dedicated professionals have since been developing efforts and programs in prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery of alcoholics and substance abuse sufferers. Nicasa also sees itself as a behavioral and social health organizations that not only helps patients, but also their families and their communities in dealing with these behavioral health concerns.
Moreover, Nicasa has also expanded its services to include counseling, alcohol and drug abuse evaluations, family advocacy, and even mental health services. What’s more, Nicasa continues to adapt and develop services related to behavioral health and social and mental wellness that are needed by the locals in northern Illinois and beyond.
Wristband Creation understands the value of a productive community toward building a brighter future, which is heavily influenced by the mental and behavioral health of its residents. This is why we have thrown our support behind Nicasa’s 29th Annual Golf Outing, and event which aims to raise funds to continuously support their health services.
CSR, in its core, allows a company to reap benefits beyond business success. It’s not a panacea for all the world’s ills, but it’s definitely a step toward creating societies that are healthier, more conscientious, and more forward-thinking.
For Wristband Creation, CSR efforts are more than just being charitable and building a good name. It’s also about boosting the morale of our team, instilling pride in our work and the values and advocacies we stand for. In the future, as we continue to grow as a company, we will definitely be supporting more non-profits to help build a better world.
