Our mission at Novartis Oncology is to become the world's premier oncology company by consistently discovering, developing and making broadly available novel therapies that improve and extend the lives of people living with cancer.   

We recognize that advancing the treatment and care of cancer requires facilitating open dialogue among members of the oncology community and understanding what the on-the-ground needs of patients are. 

Like cancer itself—which is a complex set of more than 200 diseases—access to cancer care can be complex and varied. Particularly because of this complexity, enhanced cancer care requires many elements and interests to work together. 

Having interests in diverse countries around the world—from the United States, Europe, and Japan, to Bolivia, Indonesia, and Tanzania—enables Novartis Oncology the unique opportunity to:

• Highlight some of these challenges
• Broaden the understanding of cancer care in these areas
• Help effect a sustainable and positive change

That is the premise of the Novartis Oncology Community Catalyst Campaign—a global cause-related initiative to help raise awareness and foster a global community dialogue on cancer care in underserved communities.

How does the Community Catalyst Campaign work?

Novartis Oncology has purchased handcrafted bowls from SERRV International, a non-profit, alternative trading organization operating in the United States and in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and other developing regions of the world. SERRV commissioned the bowls from local artisans—Nyabigena Soapstone Carvers—in an underserved community of Kenya.

These bowls serve as a symbol to raise awareness within the oncology community of global cancer care needs among underserved communities, as well as health care issues of the artisans’ communities and surrounding geographies.

Novartis Oncology will distribute the limited edition, handcrafted collectable bowls at select medical meetings throughout 2008. The fundamental value of the Community Catalyst Campaign "giveaway" is to raise awareness of global cancer care in underserved communities. Additionally, the purchase of the bowl by Novartis Oncology represents trade with workers’ cooperatives in underserved communities.

A share of the proceeds from the bowls’ purchase returns to the carvers’ communities—to help build schools, pave roads, construct dispensaries and hospitals—and ultimately better meet the health and cancer care needs of the community.

Why a bowl?

Bowls have a global and local cultural nature to them. Many local and underserved communities around the world make bowls—and thus they are able to symbolize a common interest throughout the global community.

Interested in purchasing a handcrafted item? Learn more ›