Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease are the reasons that both of my grandparents never reached their retirement age. At a young age, I had to experience the devastating impact of these diseases not only on them as patients, but also on our entire family. Today I draw tremendous energy from our company’s purpose and the opportunity to contribute to it through my work at Novartis. I hope that one day no disease will prevent anyone from enjoying life to the fullest.

By Michael Mildner and Ann Weber.