October - A Month for Special Causes

By now, most of us know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. With a quarter of a million new cases diagnosed each year in the U.S. alone, it is likely we are all touched in one way or another by this terrible disease.

We’re proud to do our small part by contributing annually to the American Cancer Society, Komen and other worthy causes - through direct financial donations, participation in local fundraisers and now our “Cuffs for a Cause”. The success of our limited edition Adscope 603 Breast Cancer Awareness model (we donated $15,000 to the American Cancer Society) prompted us to do something more permanent. ADC’s Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) print cuff is available in 12 distinct products from a stand alone BP cuff to a complete kit including matching carry case and stethoscope. We’ll once again donate a portion of the proceeds to the American Cancer Society. So, if you’re an ADC dealer, please consider adding one or more of these products to the line. And if you’re a healthcare professional looking for a new sphygmomanometer, or want to upgrade the one you have, the BCA series cuff and sphyg does double duty as a great diagnostic tool while benefitting a truly worthwhile cause..

There’s a second outstanding cause celebrated in October – one far less well known – but JUST as important, particularly to me. October is National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month. While we do offer a cuff to benefit Austism – our participation in THIS cause is much more personal and constant. Over a quarter of a century ago, ADC hired our first developmentally disabled employee. We were a tiny firm, employing fewer than 10 and had published an ad seeking help in our production department. The ONLY candidate to show up was a young man named Glen who rode his bicycle 7 miles. He gave me a note written by his mom begging me to give him the chance.

Today we employ over a dozen developmentally disabled individuals in positions ranging from quality control to production, from shipping to maintenance. We are proud to be one of NY’s leading private employers of the developmentally disabled. We work closely with AHRC Suffolk to ensure a rewarding work experience for the participants and a productive employee that truly makes a difference. Two years ago to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the hiring of our first disabled employee, we added a sticker to millions of products commemorating the milestone. But that sticker means so much more as we also made a small contribution to AHRC Suffolk for every sticker printed. So far we’ve donated $25,000 with more to come.

You can help too. If you’re an employer, reach out to the local agencies serving this population. Most have supported work programs that will screen qualified candidates and train them. If you’re a consumer, support firms that make this commitment to the hiring of the developmentally disabled (or any disability that moves you).

It’ll be one of the most rewarding things you’ve ever done!