On May 31, 2009, 22 Boston Scientific employees participated in the annual Brussels 20km fundraising event to support the Chain of Hope. The Chain of Hope is an international humanitarian association that provides medical treatments for children from developing countries with serious but curable medical conditions. Each year, ten to fifteen children travel to Belgium for operations that cannot be performed in their home country due to lack of technical and financial means or qualified personnel.

This year, Boston Scientific employees ran in support of Geoffrey, a 16 month old boy from Kinshasa, DR Congo, who suffered from a Ventricular Septal Defect. Geoffrey underwent surgery in Brussels on May 13, and was well enough to appear at the 20km to inspire the runners at the start. He was able to return to his home in DR Congo in June.

The Boston Scientific runners helped raise a total of 4266€. The money raised will help fund vital treatment for children across the globe who suffer from life-threatening cardiovascular diseases but have no access to local treatment.

The Chain of Hope also sponsors missions abroad to develop medical facilities and donate medical equipment to countries with insufficient sanitary conditions, particularly in specialties related to children. The missions are carried out by volunteer multidisciplinary Belgian medical teams who treat seriously ill children and provide training for local medical teams.

For more information, please visit The Chain of Hope website.