Advocacy In Action

September 9, 2024 by Aldevron

Running and Riding for a Cure

In many ways, manufacturing therapies is a marathon, not a sprint. Much like training for a long race, the process requires discipline, fortitude, and teamwork to achieve a common goal. This fall, some of our Aldevron team members are embracing both challenges.

With the recent launch of our newly crafted advocacy program, “New Frontiers in Cellular Immunotherapies,” our team members are demonstrating their commitment to advocacy in meaningful ways. Two excellent examples are Nate Russart, R&D Principal Scientist, and Isaac Monreal, Manager of Downstream Process Development, whose commitment to advocacy is evident both personally and professionally.

In the coming months, they are putting their dedication to advocacy — and their physical fitness — to the test through their participation in the New York City Marathon and the Badger Challenge respectively. Through their efforts, Nate and Isaac will be raising money for organizations focused on advancing the research and treatment of cancer.

Nate Russart’s Path to New York City
On November 3, Nate will run the NYC Marathon and fundraise on behalf of the Emily Whitehead Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to raise awareness and funding for innovative childhood cancer treatments, like CAR T-cell therapy. Nate has an intense training regimen, with 5 am wake up calls and 20-mile weekend runs. As Nate trains for the world’s largest marathon and strives to raise $5,000 for the foundation, he is proud to represent the role that Aldevron plays in providing raw materials for cancer therapies. If you are interested in donating to his cause, here is his fundraising link.

Could you share more about what inspired you to get involved in the NYC Marathon?
I have previously run three marathons, although it has been over 10 years since I ran the last one. Each year, I think about signing up for one again, but never do. This year, I saw that the Emily Whitehead Foundation was looking for runners to join their team, and I thought it would be the perfect fit to force me to commit. I was familiar with the Emily Whitehead Foundation and what they do, and it just seemed to make a lot of sense for me to run for this cause.

What excites you the most about participating in the NYC Marathon?
I’m excited to meet up with the other members of the Emily Whitehead team that I am getting to know as we train. I’m also excited that this is a destination marathon, and I will be able to take in the sights of New York City as I run through all five boroughs!

Could you talk a little bit more about the Emily Whitehead Foundation and why it's so meaningful to you?
To start off, curing childhood cancer is an effort that anyone can get behind - there is nothing controversial about it. Secondly, the type of therapy that Emily Whitehead received requires plasmid DNA. Many of the companies that are working to make these therapies more effective, safer, and applicable to a wider variety of cancer types are coming to Aldevron for their raw materials. I work in R&D, and one of the big things we’ve been working on is improving our processes of creating DNA -making it cleaner and removing the impurities that grow in cells. The connection between the Foundation as well as what I do at work was a great way to get involved, helping people understand the importance of these efforts and raise funds along the way.

How Isaac Monreal is Cycling for a Cause
In just a few weeks, Isaac Monreal will take part in the Badger Challenge, a walk, run, and bike fundraising event benefitting cancer research at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. Inspired by a family member who survived cancer and his day-to-day work at Aldevron, Isaac will bike for a cause that is meaningful to him.

What inspired you to get involved in the Badger Challenge in the first place?
When I first started at Aldevron, the Badger Challenge was recommended to me. I like to ride my bike and do charity rides, and like many others, I’ve been personally affected by cancer. My mom is a cancer survivor.

How is the rest of the Aldevron team getting involved?
The first time I presented my interest in participating in the Badger Challenge to leadership, they were immediately on board. In the past three years, participation across the Madison site has increased and now spans the entire organization. It’s awesome to work for a company that is equally eager and excited about the event’s mission and is willing to provide support. Through our involvement, Aldevron associates have contributed more than $30,000 to this cause. Again, this year, Aldevron is participating as a corporate sponsor and associate support continues to grow. We’ve organized a number of different fundraising events, like a bake sale, and a cookout, and we’ve already hosted a trivia night with a silent auction, raising $3,000 and a Pie Your Manager event, raising over $2,500. Everyone on site is helping participate and is active in meeting our goals – it’s been a lot of fun!

How does the Badger Challenge connect to Aldevron’s mission?
There's a lot of different approaches to treating cancer and many involve using newer approaches, like gene editing, which directly relates to what we do. We also have ties to the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. Getting involved with the Badger Challenge helps strengthen and facilitate that bond, and we are helping raise funds for the Center, in turn aiming to build innovations in the cancer space. It's very in-line with what we do at Aldevron!

Our team members’ efforts exemplify Aldevron’s devotion to advocacy, both in their professional roles and through their personal pursuits! By participating in the NYC Marathon and the Badger Challenge, Nate and Isaac are not only raising funds for crucial cancer research, but also embodying the spirit of teamwork that defines Aldevron and contributing to our vision of a world where every cure is possible. This fall, as our team engages in advocacy initiatives, we are reminded of the impact we all have in advancing medical research and supporting patients – inside and outside the workplace.

• Have questions on this topic? Contact Us
• Learn about the Badger Challenge
• Visit the Emily Whitehead Foundation
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