In a move that promises to reshape the professional landscape for individuals battling cancer, Publicis Groupe has reached a significant juncture with its “Working with Cancer” initiative in the Philippines. The endeavor, which calls on corporations to foster a workplace culture of support and recovery for cancer patients, has gained momentum through strategic partnerships with Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc (AC Health) and the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP).
The Pledge Driving Change
Initially launched at the global forum in Davos, the initiative has gained the backing of numerous influential firms and is steered by Arthur Sadoun, Global Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe. Under Sadoun’s leadership, and propelled by his personal journey with cancer, the campaign is setting a new precedent for how companies support employees grappling with chronic illnesses. Esteemed cancer organizations, including MSK, MacMillan Cancer Support, and the Gustave Roussy Institute, stand with the campaign, bolstering its credibility and reach.
A United Front for Cancer Fighters
With the memorandum of agreement inked between Publicis Groupe Philippines, AC Health, and PMAP, a framework is being laid to safeguard the careers of those within the cancer community, ensuring their journey is met with understanding and stability in their professional roles. Joanne Abrihan-Ty, Publicis Groupe Philippines’ CFO, expressed gratitude for the collaboration, emphasizing the need for inclusive work cultures that cater to employees’ health challenges.
An Advocacy Embraced by Industry Leaders
PMAP, representing a vast network of corporate giants in the Philippines, echoes the commitment to foster an empathetic corporate culture that actively supports members of the workforce affected by cancer. PMAP’s President, Ma. Elizabeth Nasol, emphasized, “This cancer support initiative, born out of the collaborative effort of the founding partners, carries a profound message – that cancer should never be a personal problem. Through this collaboration, we pledge to encourage our member organizations to provide comprehensive support in the face of cancer – a shared challenge that ensures that those affected by it will never have a solitary journey.”
AC Health’s Vital Role in the Movement
AC Health, under the Ayala Corporation umbrella, is a key player in the Philippines’ healthcare landscape. Paolo Borromeo, its President & CEO, highlights: “We are excited about our role in helping the Working With Cancer movement grow because we recognize our responsibility and obligation, as healthcare providers and employers, to provide the best care and environment to our employees for cancer screening, treatment, and recovery. Together, we can do much to revolutionize cancer care in the workplace setting.”
Digital Strategies to Propel Awareness
Dave Drilon, Publicis Groupe Philippines’ Chief Digital Officer of Publicis Groupe Philippines, added: “With the intent of providing better cancer care in the workplace, there’s certainly a need for greater awareness and action. We must work closer with companies to ensure these programs get implemented. The formalization of the pledge with our founding partners AC Health and PMAP is but the first step to growing this movement in the country – something we will nurture for many years to come – and we look forward to working with more businesses and institutions in this undertaking.”
Southeast Asia’s Collective Ambition
The initiative is not just gaining traction locally but is part of a broader regional strategy as explained by Amrita Randhawa, CEO of Publicis Groupe Singapore and Southeast Asia: “The Philippines team have made an incredible effort to scale the WWC initiative such that it makes industry-wide and client-wide impact. As a team, this is what we are focused on in Southeast Asia: inviting and bringing together industry and client bodies to make sure this initiative creates scalable workforce change.”
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Join the Movement
As the “Working with Cancer” campaign garners global support, companies are encouraged to join the #workingwithcancer pledge and contribute to the movement for a more compassionate workplace. For more details on the WWC initiative and how to participate, visit Workingwithcancerpledge.com.
