Creating Meaningful Impact: How Roche Canada's Culture of Giving Shaped 2025
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At Roche, we believe that empowering our employees to give their time - the most valuable gift we can offer - fosters meaningful connections and strengthens our ties to the communities we serve.
When Nader Hachem, Roche Global Procurement’s Senior Supplier Relationship Manager, decided to say "yes" to a volunteer opportunity with his department in 2018, he had no idea it would become such a meaningful part of his life. What began as a simple half-day activity evolved into a true passion, motivating him to deepen his engagement with The Darling Home for Kids on his own time. His journey highlights a core truth about Roche Canada: our commitment to volunteer days is not just an initiative - it’s the heart of our culture.
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Nader Hachem
Senior Supplier Relationship Manager, Global Procurement
Volunteering at The Darling Home for Kids
Volunteering at Roche: More Than Just Work Hours
My volunteering journey at Roche started with a simple "yes" to an email in 2018. My department was helping out at Eden Food for Change, and I thought it sounded like a nice way to give back. I had no idea it would become such a meaningful part of my life.
Right away, I loved it. That first day, I discovered the simple joy of working alongside my colleagues on something completely different from our usual jobs. Later, at a Habitat for Humanity GTA build, I got to connect with even more Roche employees from outside my department, people I never would have met otherwise. Each experience left me feeling energized and inspired.
But everything clicked into place when I started volunteering with The Darling Home for Kids (DHK). Suddenly, the connection felt deeper. Here was an organization caring for children with rare diseases and complex needs - a mission that felt like a direct extension of what we strive to do at Roche every day. With family members who rely on similar services for their kids, the cause hit close to home. It was no longer just about giving back; it was personal.
That’s when I knew I wanted to do more, both inside and outside of work hours. What began as a half-day activity with my team has since become a true passion. That first volunteer day through our company was just the beginning. It served as a catalyst, motivating me to join the DHK Volunteer Participation Committee and deepen my engagement with their mission on my own time. The experience has been incredibly fulfilling, and I’m committed to expanding my support for the DHK and other organizations in the years ahead.
This is a perfect example of how a corporate program can have a compounding impact, empowering employees to become dedicated, long-term partners in strengthening our community. While monetary donations are important, I believe time is the most valuable gift we can offer. That’s what makes Roche’s commitment to volunteer days so meaningful - it empowers us to give our time to organizations that our community relies on. These opportunities have forever changed my perspective, and I will be forever grateful.
2025: A Year of Measurable Impact
As we step into a new year filled with new opportunities to make a difference, we take a moment to reflect on the meaningful impact of our 2025 philanthropic program.
This past year, we didn't just meet our philanthropic goals; we broke records. Close to 500 volunteers collectively contributed nearly 1,500 volunteer hours to causes close to their hearts.
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During our Roche Gives Back Week, over 100 volunteers dedicated close to 200 hours to supporting those in need and created a lasting impact in our communities. Our volunteers assembled 100 shoeboxes in support of The Shoebox Project, cooked and prepared over 200 meals for Eden Food For Change, prepared for The Darling Home for Kids Red Door Gala, and cultivated the natural environment at The Riverwood Conservancy. We also came together to celebrate #RocheProud Day, a day filled with engaging activities that celebrated our history, strengthened connections, and highlighted our commitment to giving back.
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Close to 700 Roche Canada Pharma and Diagnostics employees demonstrated their unwavering support for our Roche Children's Walk, raising over $21,000. Together with a corporate match, we raised over $40,000 to support global and local children's projects and initiatives. What began 22 years ago as an employee-driven effort to help children in need has now grown into our most significant global event, bringing together employee engagement and philanthropy on an extraordinary scale.
Looking Ahead: Deepening Our Commitment to Community
As we look back on 2025, we are filled with pride and gratitude for the remarkable contributions of our employees. We are excited to build on this momentum and continue our efforts in 2026 through renewed partnerships with The Riverwood Conservancy, Halton Women's Place, Eden Food For Change and The Darling Home for Kids. We are also thrilled to once again partner with Let’s Talk Science. These collaborations will provide meaningful and engaging volunteer opportunities, empowering our employees to create an even greater impact for the communities we serve.
The dedication and compassionate efforts of our volunteers have touched countless lives and brought about significant positive change. We are deeply grateful for their efforts and proud of the difference they continue to make every day. Looking ahead, we remain committed to fostering this culture of giving and are excited to build on our successes to create an even greater impact in the years to come.
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