When Access goes to ASCO this year, we will go to support 23 exhibitors, companies engaged in on-going research to conquer cancer. Access will provide face-to-face environments where oncologists from all over the globe will share experiences, discover new therapies, and learn about advances in their field. It’s a heady thought when you stop to consider not only the work that precedes ASCO but also the innovation that results.
Over the years, Access’ representation at ASCO has grown, just as we as a company have grown. Not unlike an anniversary, ASCO provides the perfect opportunity to reflect and consider what it means to continue to be a trusted partner for companies whose focus is oncology.
And that reflection leads to the question that many companies are asking themselves today: how do we give back? How do we express gratitude for the opportunity to go beyond our corporate mission? In the case of #AccessatASCO—a hashtag we’ve been using for a few years now—the question becomes: how do we support the research that is improving the quality of life for cancer patients the world over?
ASCO has its own philanthropic foundation, The Conquer Cancer Foundation (CCF). We have been fortunate to work with CCF over the years on our social media campaigns, but this year we wanted to draw more attention to CCF and its mission with an initiative that didn’t depend on Access’ social media following. To do that, we went to the analog world where we could quite literally show up for CCF–with a virtual solution.
Event marketers are challenged to build social responsibility activities into the meetings and events they attend or produce. Under the umbrella of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), these activities usually represent a focus for socially responsible companies. Access has always cared deeply about the community, the environment, and of course, our people. The support of the CCF goes beyond CSR because, for all of us, it is deeply personal. Our commitment to CCF permeates the entire fabric of our company, something we have come to realize over the past several years with our #AccessatASCO projects. We all have our own reasons why this initiative is important. All of our lives have been touched by cancer at some point in one way or another.
#WeConquerCancer Virtual 5K–so what is a virtual 5K?
This year we are launching our #WeConquerCancer Virtual 5K. The #WeConquerCancer hashtag is a direct shout out to CCF’s ongoing work.
What is a virtual 5K? Good question!
Because Access is a global company with employees, partners, clients, and friends around the world, as much as we’d like to gather everyone together for a 5K, we can’t. So we are doing the next best thing. A virtual 5K allows everyone to join us. As complicated as it sounded at first, we’re discovering that it’s the perfect solution for not only building awareness of cancer research but also of inviting everyone who is reading this to participate.
A virtual 5K takes place at any location you choose. You can run, jog, or walk on the road, on the trail, on the treadmill, at the gym or on the track (or even at another race). You run your own race, at your own pace, and time it yourself. You can run solo or as a team. The virtual 5K allows for a wide range of individual preferences.
#WeConquerCancer Virtual 5K sounded like the perfect solution for us for all the reasons above and for all the people we mentioned. Click here to sign up and to get the details. Oh, and to let us know your t-shirt size. Please join us for one of the most important events we have ever launched.