Syngenta Seed Care Plants Seeds of Hope with Avicta Complete Cotton Blimp
Raises money and donates blimp rides for critically ill children
Syngenta, through a partnership with Believe In Tomorrow™ Children’s Foundation, enriched the lives of dozens of critically ill children during the spring of 2008 by donating rides in the Avicta® Complete Cotton blimp and collecting more than $7,600 in cash donations.
The Avicta Complete Cotton blimp launched in Memphis, Tenn. on Feb. 29, and traveled more than 3,000 miles over 10 states in the Delta and Southeast regions of the United States, before finishing the tour in North Carolina at the end of May. In total, 102 people associated with Believe In Tomorrow received rides in the blimp in nine Southern cities: Memphis, Tenn., Blytheville, Ark., Vicksburg, Miss., Tifton, Ga., Pensacola, Fla., New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La., and Greensboro and Wilson, N.C.
In addition, Syngenta helped raise more than $7,600 for Believe In Tomorrow. These donations were collected from Syngenta employees, cotton growers and retailers throughout the United States.
“Through the generosity of our employees and customers, Syngenta has been able to contribute to an incredible charity that helps critically ill children across the country put aside thoughts of today’s treatments and focus on tomorrow," said Vern Hawkins, vice president for Syngenta U.S. Commercial Operations. “I was given the opportunity to see first-hand the impact a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity such as a blimp ride can have on a critically ill child, and it was truly inspiring. I am very proud of Syngenta and the part we have played in enriching these children’s’ lives."
Founded in 1982, Believe In Tomorrow provides exceptional hospital and retreat housing services to critically ill children and their families. The Foundation believes in keeping families together during a child’s medical crisis and that the gentle cadence of normal family life has a powerful influence on the healing process. The Foundation has five respite houses on the East Coast and two hospital houses in Baltimore. Two years ago, Believe In Tomorrow launched a major national initiative to prioritize its services to critically ill children of active U.S. military families.
Since its inception in 1996, Believe In Tomorrow’s Hands On™ Adventures blimp program has given thousands of critically ill children and their families the thrill of a lifetime as passengers aboard airships throughout the United States. Through the rides on the Avicta Complete Cotton blimp, Syngenta helped fulfill the program’s mission to offer critically ill children a chance to believe in and focus on the future, rather than the stressful routine of hospital visits and treatments.
“The opportunity for these children to fly in the Avicta Complete Cotton blimp provided them with an experience that really enhances the healing process," said Brian Morrison, founder of Believe In Tomorrow. “Once you plant that seed of hope in a child, it can have a magical effect, empowering him with a belief in tomorrow. The child will turn from focusing on yesterday’s treatment to looking toward the future. The rides on the Avicta Complete Cotton blimp have done just that and played a meaningful role in the treatment of these children."
Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2007 were approximately $9.2 billion. Syngenta employs over 21,000 people in more than 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.
# # #
Important: Always read and follow label instructions before buying or using these products. Avicta® 500 FS is a Restricted Use Pesticide.
Avicta Complete Cotton is a promotional combination of one or more separately registered products comprised of: Avicta® 500 FS, Cruiser® and Dynasty CST®.
Avicta® technology is protected by U.S. Patent No. 6875727, and other patents and pending patent applications in US and other countries.
Avicta®, Cruiser®, Dynasty CST® and the Syngenta logo are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Believe In Tomorrow™ and Hands On™ are trademarks of Believe In Tomorrow National Children’s Foundation.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as ‘expect’, ‘would’, ‘will’, ‘potential’, ‘plans’, ‘prospects’, ‘estimated’, ‘aiming’, ‘on track’ and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefore.