In addition to OSI’s involvement as a company, we are proud to say that our employees share a personal commitment in the fight against cancer, diabetes and obesity that goes beyond their jobs. Below are a few examples of local events that OSI employees volunteer their time to support. We offer many volunteer possibilities to meet individual preferences and encourage our employees to get involved in community relations.
Oncology
American Cancer Society’s Camp Adventure
One of the greatest gifts our employees give is the donation of their time and for the 20 employees who spend two days at the American Cancer Society's Camp Adventure on Shelter Island each summer, this is the ultimate in giving. Employees interact with children with cancer and for a little while help the children forget about the daily struggles that life has challenged them with. For OSI employees, this experience is a direct connection to the work we do everyday in the fight against cancer.
American Cancer Society's Relay for Life
Since 2002, OSI has participated in the Relay for Life event. The event helps promote awareness of cancer in the community. OSI employees raise money to support the ACS mission to eliminate cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing the suffering from cancer. OSI employees' enthusiastic participation shows our support for the local ACS chapter and for all of our colleagues who have been touched by cancer.
CancerCare's Lung Cancer Walk
OSI supports CancerCare, a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide free, professional support services to anyone affected with cancer, on their annual Lung Cancer Walks. We believe that participation is a valuable way to increase local awareness about lung cancer while helping to raise necessary funds for CancerCare.
Uniting Against Lung Cancer ‘Kites for a Cure’
OSI volunteers for lung cancer awareness with Kites for a Cure™ a family kite fly filling the sky with colorful messages of courage and love. A unique way to honor survivors, remember loved ones, raise awareness about lung cancer, research and about how they can make a difference.
Macmillan Organization
OSI’s employees in the UK are also proud supporters volunteering time and fundraising for the Macmillan Organization. It is the largest cancer organization in the UK and provides practical, medical, financial support and awareness for better cancer care. Employees participate in the Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning and other events through the year..
Diabetes
American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure
OSI supports and participates in the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure. Tour de Cure is a cycling event to benefit the American Diabetes Association. The Tour is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist. The event helps increase awareness about diabetes and support the search for a cure.
Diabetes UK
OSI’s diabetes and obesity group is very proud to support Diabetes UK as one of their chosen charities. Diabetes UK is the largest organization in the UK working for people with diabetes. Employees raise money on behalf of Diabetes UK throughout the year and in a number of different ways. Recent fund raising events include: Annual Staff Raffle and Tea Party and staff participation in local or national sporting events such as the London Marathon
Science Education
Fellows Mentoring Program
Ph.D. scientists at OSI volunteer their time mentoring post graduate students at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Stony Brook University through a Fellows Program with the Biotechnology Institute. Their guidance provides professional development, explores careers, interview techniques and resume writing.
OSI Judges Protein Modeling Challenge and Science & Engineering Fairs
OSI scientists judge the Protein Modeling Challenge hosted by The Center for Science and Mathematics Education at Stony Brook University. Scientists judge models of molecular structures created by teams of students representing schools across Long Island. OSI scientists also volunteer their time to judge at the Long Island Science & Engineering Fair and the New York State Science and Engineering Fair which showcase research from a wide variety of disciplines presented by local High School students.
Valedictorian Day & Teens on the Job
OSI is committed to mentoring local students about science and biotechnology. As part of this initiative we host an annual Valedictorian Day and Teens on the Job where students in their high school classes have a chance to interact with current interns and Company employees to learn more about careers in science. The programs are designed to provide valuable insight and advice from current OSI employees about the benefits and challenges facing science majors in college. The students are also able to speak one-on-one with some of our top scientists. These programs prove time and again to be an extremely rewarding experience for both the students and our employees.