DripDrop Forms Foundation To Scale Relief Efforts

Inaugural Product Donation Supports Global Health Community in Fight Against Ebola; Joins Clinton Global Initiative

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Sep 23, 2014, 08:00 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, DripDrop, the first great tasting oral rehydration solution (ORS), announced the formation of the DripDrop Foundation, with its primary mission to alleviate suffering due to preventable dehydration worldwide. Utilizing scientific advancements in Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT), the foundation aims to introduce solutions to reduce dehydration and healthcare costs through strategic partnerships, research, educational programs, and medical relief missions.

"DripDrop has been used in disaster relief settings since the founding of the company, so we are pleased to launch a foundation that can scale these efforts for greater impact," said Dr. Eduardo Dolhun, DripDrop Founder and Chief Humanitarian. "Dehydration and diarrhea remain a leading cause of death in children under five, but less than 40 percent of affected children in developing countries are using ORT. The DripDrop Foundation will look for ways in which we can help reduce childhood deaths from dehydration and diarrhea through greater adoption of this life-saving therapy."

One of the Foundation's first initiatives addresses the Ebola Virus outbreak in West Africa, focusing on hard-hit Liberia and Sierra Leone. In response to a request from ChildFund International, the DripDrop Foundation will donate much-needed ORS product to the organization, which is working to help contain the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and improve the health outcomes of those affected with EVD.

In addition, DripDrop has been invited to join the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), is attending the 2014 annual conference in New York this week, and will begin to formulate a commitment to action with appropriate strategic partners.

DripDrop, which was developed by Dr. Dolhun, a Mayo Clinic-trained family physician, is based on the WHO-formula for ORS, but with one simple, important difference – it tastes better – a factor in patient compliance and consumption.

"If there was an ORS that tastes nice, and has all the relevant compositions of the ORS we know, it would be absolutely fantastic for the kids," said Dr. Macpherson Mallewa, Deputy Head of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi. "Because when they are thirsty, they expect to taste something that they actually like, instead of the horrible-tasting ORS we force them to drink."

The DripDrop Foundation will be supported by a combination of major gifts, grants, strategic partnerships, and proceeds from sales of DripDrop in the United States.

About DripDrop  
DripDrop is the first Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) to combine medical standards of rehydration therapy and excellent taste. Our patented scientific formula improves upon international ORS standards, conforming to proven ratios of salts, sugars, potassium, and other ingredients. DripDrop precisely combines all those ingredients to maximize both taste and efficacy; this golden ratio of ingredients means DripDrop absorbs faster and hydrates better than water and other hydration solutions. DripDrop's innovative formula has been adopted early on by an elite group of users including Stanford University Medical Center, The Mayo Clinic, UCSF Medical Center, leading national pharmacies, US Special Forces, Olympians and top-flight athletes. To find a store location or for more information, visit www.dripdrop.com.

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SOURCE DripDrop