Sanofi-aventis U.S. employees Ana Wood and Nydia Llanes live on opposite sides of the U.S., but they share a passion for helping others.

Both volunteer their time to charitable causes that bring much needed medical relief to impoverished families and children in Central and South America. Their efforts have helped bring hope, health and prosperity to those in need, as well as grant monies through the company’s “Carrying Out Projects Here and Abroad” humanitarian program. 

The Humanitarian Sponsorship Department, located at sanofi-aventis’s global headquarters in Paris, launched the international grant program in 2007. Through the program, employees are encouraged to submit humanitarian projects in which they are involved throughout the world. Thirty projects are selected each year to receive company funding up to 5,000 euros (approximately $6,250 at time of publication). Ms. Wood and Ms. Llanes are the U.S. winners of this year’s grants, and will work to ensure the money is well utilized.

Anna Wood, at left, assists during a dental procedure at one of the IMA’s volunteer medical missions to Ecuador.

Ms. Wood volunteers with the International Medical Alliance (IMA), which organizes volunteer medical missions to Ecuador. Many of the country’s poorest residents would never receive medical care without an intervention from volunteers. Ms. Wood, who is a registered dental assistant and bilingual in Spanish, joined a team of plastic and orthopedic surgeons, dentists, and doctors in a variety of specialties. The team brings medicine and performs surgeries on children in this impoverished area. The IMA has provided medical and dental services to 20,000 Ecuadorians since its inception in 2002.

“It’s gratifying to know that I’ve touched so many lives through my participation in the medical missions,” said Ms. Wood. “I look forward to helping more people on the next mission later this year.” 

Nydia Llanes holds David, one of the   boys from the orphanage whose   cleft lip and palate were repaired   by the volunteer medical team.

For many years, Ms. Llanes, who is also bilingual, has been volunteering her time to organize medical missionary efforts similar to those run by IMA. She has focused her time in Sampango, Guatemala, where medical care is nonexistent and people often die of simple infections and malnutrition. Twice each year, she works with a diverse group of volunteers—including specialists in pediatrics, cardiology, oncology, gynecology, dentistry and more—to bring care to an orphanage in this small town. Several years ago, the volunteers began raising funds to build a permanent clinic adjacent to the orphanage. The children and other local residents will be able to receive regular care at the clinic. The company grant will help contribute to the clinic’s completion. 

Ms. Wood and Ms. Llanes are thrilled with the recognition and grants their causes have received, and both are even more committed to spreading the company’s spirit of giving back. “I am very proud and humbled,” says Ms. Llanes, “to work for a company that cares about the needy and poor around the world and helps to improve their lives.” 

Click here to learn more about the International Medical Alliance.