Amgen’s Suliveras Ortíz receives $5K for charity

The Amgen Foundation recently selected Wilma Suliveras Ortíz, a human resources staff member at Amgen’s Juncos manufacturing complex, along with 10 other company employees, to receive the 2011 Amgen Excellence in Volunteering Awards.
The awards recognize staff in the United States and Puerto Rico making a difference in the communities where Amgen has a presence. The Amgen Foundation will award $5,000 to each nonprofit organization featured in the winning staff members’ applications.
“For me, the most important thing is to help patients with cancer and provide them all the information they need to have a quality life,” Suliveras Ortíz says. “Amgen produces medicines for cancer patients. I’m proud to be a part of that and to let patients know that I am personally here for them, too.”
Suliveras Ortíz will channel the money to the American Cancer Society’s Central East Unit, for which she is an avid volunteer. Most recently, she served as the unit’s operational board president. She helps coordinate Walk for a Cause, Relay for Life (she served as team captain), Path of Smiles and numerous other fund- and awareness-raising programs.
“Amgen values the commitment staff make to positively impact the organizations and causes they are passionate about,” said Jean Lim Terra, president of the Amgen Foundation. “The Amgen Excellence in Volunteering Awards not only honor outstanding staff efforts, but also recognize nonprofits for the difference they make in our communities.”
The recipients were selected by panels of internal and external reviewers based on impact of the applicant’s volunteer efforts, frequency of volunteer activity and length of time committed, and a letter of recommendation from the nonprofit organization.