La Roche-Posay Partners with AAD and USO to Distribute Sunscreen in Haiti

COMPANY DONATES MORE THAN $675,000 WORTH OF ANTHELIOS 15 WATER RESISTANT SUNSCREEN CREAM TO EARTHQUAKE RELIEF WORKERS

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Feb 04, 2010, 01:14 ET

NEW YORK, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- La Roche-Posay, the brand trusted for more than 15 years worldwide to offer exceptional UVA protection, is partnering with the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the United Service Organizations (USO) to donate more than 23,000 full-size tubes of its ANTHELIOS 15 Water Resistant Sunscreen Cream to U.S. troops and other workers providing relief assistance in Haiti following last month's devastating earthquake.

"The hearts and minds of AAD members and the world have been with the people of Haiti as they work to recover from the devastating earthquake damage," said dermatologist David M. Pariser, MD, FAAD, president of the American Academy of Dermatology. "While the earthquake caused immediate and severe destruction to Haiti in just minutes, the harmful effects of the ultraviolet (UV) radiation to which workers are being exposed in the recovery effort can have damaging long-term effects. Exposure to UV radiation from the sun is known to be a leading cause of skin cancer, and La Roche-Posay is making a significant contribution to the relief effort by donating sunscreen to help those in Haiti protect their skin from sun damage and help them prevent skin cancer."

This in-kind donation by La Roche-Posay was made in response to a targeted appeal to the industry after an AAD member inquired about providing sunscreen for soldiers and other personnel who have been sent to Haiti to help with the relief efforts. La Roche-Posay quickly responded to this call to action by pledging to ship more than 23,000 full-size tubes of ANTHELIOS 15 Water Resistant Sunscreen Cream – valued at nearly $700,000 – to Haiti via the USO/Fort Eustis. La Roche-Posay has agreed that the use of the sunscreen may be expanded beyond the soldiers to other relief workers and those directly impacted by the earthquake.

"Amongst the devastation in Haiti, it can be difficult to meet the most basic human needs, so our job is to provide the military personnel in Haiti with the food, toiletries and support that they need," said USO of the Hampton Roads President & CEO Bruce LaLonde. "The generous donations of companies like La Roche-Posay are invaluable, as they allow our men and women in uniform to spend more time providing aid to the earthquake victims and less time worrying about meeting their own basic needs."

"La Roche-Posay is happy to have found a way to help the relief workers while they provide the help that is so desperately needed," said La Roche-Posay General Manager Yannick Raynaud. "There's still much to do, but we're proud to be able provide some assistance that gives them one less thing to worry about."

About LA ROCHE-POSAY

La Roche-Posay is the brand recommended by 25,000 dermatologists worldwide offering adjunctive therapy daily skincare products formulated with highly concentrated ingredients targeting every skin's needs. Products are tested on sensitive skin. Its daily use products include formulations that are based on thermal spring water rich in selenium, a powerful antioxidant. Formulations are clinically proven for safety and efficacy that enhance overall treatment results and reduce related side effects that can improve consumer quality of life.

About AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY

The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. A sister organization to the Academy, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) is the resource for government affairs and practice information for dermatologists, and plays a major role in formulating policies to enhance the delivery of quality dermatologic care. With a membership of more than 16,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin. For more information, contact the Academy at 1 (888) 462-DERM (3376) or visit www.aad.org.

About USO

It is the mission of the USO of Hampton Roads to enhance the quality of life of the U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families worldwide and to create a cooperative relationship between U.S. military communities and involved or supporter civilian communities. With nine affiliate location service centers and over 750 volunteers, the USO of Hampton Roads offers quality of life programs, family outreach and information and referral services. USO of Hampton Roads services reached over 350,000 military members and their families in 2009. For more information please visit our website at www.usohr.org.

ANTHELIOS 15 Water Resistant Sunscreen Cream from La Roche-Posay has a suggested retail price of $29.95 and can be purchased at select physicians' offices, CVS/pharmacy, Duane Reade, Longs and Brooks locations with Dermo-Skincare Centers, and online at www.larocheposay.us.

SOURCE La Roche-Posay