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Employees participating in the Great Strides national charity walk event
Nikon Inc., Nikon Instruments Inc., and Nikon Americas Inc. have been supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) since two years ago. Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that causes serious chronic respiratory and digestive problems. In the United States, about 30,000 children and adults suffer from this disease (and there are about 70,000 cases worldwide).
The three companies not only support the Foundation but also participate in awareness-raising activities for the condition. In 2008, the companies supported the Great Strides national charity walk event held by the Foundation. Through this event, a total of 37 million dollars (about 3.7 billion yen) were donated, including the 20,000 dollars (about two million yen) collected through the participation of large numbers of employees of the three companies in the event. The donated money will be used to support people with cystic fibrosis and to conduct further research into the disease.
In partnership with the Seattle Mariners, Nikon provides selected elementary schools in Seattle Washington with special opportunities to enjoy baseball at the ballpark.
Nikon Europe B.V., located in the Netherlands, was able to make a donation to Right to Play, an NGO that supports, through sports and play activities, children growing up in areas of conflict or danger zones. This donation was linked to the number of works submitted to the Nikon Photo Contest International 2006-2007: for every photograph submitted from Europe or Africa, Nikon would donate the sum of €2. The final number of submissions was 17,636, more than for the previous contest, and so the total sum donated was €35,272 (approximately ¥5.7 million). Nikon is considering further activities in cooperation with Right to Play in future.
Presentation of the donation to Right to Play
Dragon boat race conducted as a charity event
At Nikon U.K. Ltd., a lot of employees are participating in social contribution activities. Every January, a group representing all employees proposes several contribution activities and employees decide which one to actually conduct in the year. For the activity to be conducted for two years from April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2010, employees decided to give support to the Princess Alice Hospice, which provides terminally ill patients with cancer and other diseases with professional palliative care.
Employees proposed new ideas for collecting money for the hospice and industriously conducted activities, including the following:
Through these measures, employees collected about 13,000 pounds (1.8 million yen). The company will continue this activity with the participation of a lot of employees in the year ending March 31, 2010.
hospital ship "Africa Mercy"
The international charity Mercy Ships provides free medical care and educational programs in developing countries. Its ship, the "Africa Mercy" is a fully functioning hospital, complete with medical equipment, doctors and nurses. It offers free surgeries to people who would otherwise not receive such treatment due to poverty or lack of availability.
In 2005, Nikon UK, with Lord McColl, donated a Coolscope microscope to the hospital ship "Anastasias", and when this was replaced by "Africa Mercy" in 2007, the microscope was transferred. The Coolscope enables transmission of pathology sample images from the hospital ship to a consultant pathologist in the UK via satellite link for faster diagnosis and advice.
Nikon UK has also donated several cameras for the PR department and binoculars for the Captain. In May 2008, three additional clinical microscopes were donated. The donated equipment is used to make the programs better.
Nikon is conducting the Nikon Field Photographer Program to provide opportunities for parents and children to feel the excitement of football by taking photographs in games held by the AFC (Asian Football Confederation).
Nikon (Thailand) Co., Ltd, Nikon's affiliated company in Thailand, donates food and kitchen equipment to Wat Bangpoeng, a temple in Ayutthaya every October 24, the anniversary of its foundation. This aims to contribute to the local community. Nikon (Thailand) Co., Ltd supply kitchen equipment while all its employees donate food. The donated food and equipment is presented to monks, orphaned children and local people who visit the temple.
Nikon (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is planning wider and better support for the future.
Nikon (Thailand) Co., Ltd. staff hand the donated goods to children.
Nikon Imaging Korea Co., Ltd., Nikon's affiliated company in South Korea, is offering a free photography class for mothers of babies and pregnant women, as a support activity for childbirth and child rearing.
Supporting activity in this manner was our first attempt. The course with 6 periods in a term, contains shooting procedure from basic operation of SLR cameras to how to take good shots of babies. Nikon Imaging Korea Co., Ltd. has held six terms and a total of 90 women participated.
The photography class got a favorable reception among participants. They were enjoying not only learning how to take shots, but also communication between them.
Class scenery