The brutal and senseless murder of George Floyd in Minnesota and the protests across the country are heartbreaking.

As a mother, a daughter of immigrants, and an employee of Illumina, a company dedicated to improving human health through the power of the genome, I know that there is much more that unites us than divides us. All my life, I’ve looked to science and engineering for answers. But today, I’m finding myself asking very different questions. How can I inspire my sons to be vigilant in fighting the virus of racism in our society? What can each of us do to create lasting change? How can I contribute to organizations dedicated to equality and fairness? And, how can I best support my family, my colleagues and my community?

At Illumina, our commitment to diversity, inclusion and respect for all, is a core part of our culture. However, we recognize there is much work that needs be done to create a fair and inclusive society. To support equality and fairness in our communities, Illumina is donating $100,000 to the Equal Justice Initiative and offering a 200% match on all employee donations to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund; American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Foundation; and Public Allies, Inc. We are reaching out to our diverse supplier network to strengthen our partnerships and continuing to align our philanthropy with organizations that represent our culture and values.

We must take this opportunity – take every opportunity – to do what’s right and just. Today and every day, I’m committed to doing exactly that.