SAN DIEGO, C.A., and Research Triangle Park, N.C. – March 16, 2012 –
Stiefel, a GSK company, announced today that Hats On For Skin Health,
its global campaign with the International League of Dermatological
Societies (ILDS), has raised enough funds to produce 15,000
sun-protective hats for albinos living in East Africa and has already
distributed more than 2,000 hats. The hats are being distributed from
Tanzania, where estimates are that 98 percent of albino children will
die before the age of 40 from cancers of the skin – a direct result of
the sun’s damaging rays. Worldwide, albinism affects about one in
20,000 people. However the incidence of albinism in Sub-Saharan Africa
is significantly higher than in the rest of the world, specifically in
Tanzania where the incidence is one in 1,429.1
Earlier this year, campaign leaders from Stiefel and ILDS visited
Tanzania to introduce Hats On For Skin Health to medical professionals
attending the 17th International Conference of the Regional
Dermatology Training Center (RDTC). This annual conference brings
together more than 200 local RDTC graduates and healthcare officers
from across the African continent and the world for a series of
educational trainings and presentations. Thousands of hats produced
through the Hats On For Skin Health campaign were distributed to these
healthcare workers at the conference with the intent that they be
given to albinos in their home regions.
“Ensuring that the hats were distributed to local healthcare workers
was crucial, as they are on the front line treating skin conditions
throughout the surrounding regions, including treating people with
albinism,” said Professor Roderick Hay, Chairman of the International
Foundation for Dermatology (IFD), the charitable arm of the ILDS.
“Graduates of the RDTC are trained to educate albinos about preventing
sun damage, but are often working with limited resources to help these
patients. Now they have hats to provide to their patients free of
charge as a result of the funds raised through Hats On For Skin
Health.”
Since the launch of the Hats On For Skin Health campaign last May,
Stiefel has worked with Professor Hay and the ILDS as they identified
a local Tanzanian-based manufacturing company to produce the hats for
the campaign. The manufacturer selected by ILDS was specifically
chosen because the company employs a diverse workforce including
people with albinism, offering them the opportunity to work indoors
away from the sun. The hats are designed to be sturdy for long-lasting
use and feature a wide brim that offers protection to the face, neck
and ears.
“Stiefel is proud of the Hats On For Skin Health campaign and the
excellent dermatological care being provided by the RDTC to albinos in
desperate need,” said Stefanie Mendell, Head of Global Communications
for Stiefel, a GSK company. “As a global leader in dermatology,
Stiefel is committed to helping improve the skin health of people
around the world.”
In addition to support from ILDS, the American Academy of Dermatology
(AAD) has assisted the Hats On For Skin Health campaign by making
information about the campaign available on its website, and by
accepting donations in the United States for the campaign.
“By promoting the campaign’s fundraising success during the Winter
Meeting, we hope to inspire the wider dermatology community to support
these efforts. We must arm healthcare professionals in sub-Saharan
Africa with resources to help their patients with albinism better
protect their skin,” said Mary Maloney, MD, professor of medicine at
University of Massachusetts Medical School. “As a member and former
officer of the AAD, I’m glad to see the Academy continue to increase
its efforts to collaborate with other societies in support of
worldwide initiatives with campaigns like Hats On For Skin Health.”
To learn more about the campaign or to make a donation that will be
used to purchase hats or other sun-protective items for albinos in
Tanzania, visit http://www.hatsonforskinhealth.org and follow Stiefel
on Facebook and Twitter. For additional media materials including
video and photographs please visit
http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55030-stiefel-gsk-ilds-hats-on-for-skin-health-campaign-east-africa.
About Albinism
Albinism is the genetic inability to produce the pigment melanin in
the skin, hair and eyes, resulting in pale skin, light hair, pinkish
eyes and impaired vision. Melanin serves as the skin’s own natural
protection against the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Without
melanin, a person is predisposed to various types of solar skin
damage, including aggressive forms of skin cancers.1 In Tanzania, 100
percent of albinos show signs of sun damage to their skin within the
first ten years of life and between the ages of 20-30 years, half will
have advanced skin cancers. As a result, less than 2 percent of albino
children in Tanzania reach their 40th birthday. Although, recent
studies have shown this lifespan can be extended when measures are
taken to protect skin from the sun. 1
Worldwide, albinism affects about one in 20,000 people. However, the
incidence of albinism in sub-Saharan Africa is significantly higher
than in the rest of the world, and Tanzania has one of the highest
rates of all with an incidence of one in 1,429, or approximately
30,000 people. There are many precautionary steps that can be taken to
help prevent skin cancer, including health education about sun
avoidance, sun protection through use of sun blocks and skin coverage
provided by clothing such as hats and long sleeves. 1
About The International League of Dermatological Societies
The International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) is a
non-governmental organization that is composed of all of the major
international and national Dermatology societies of the world, and has
official relations with the World Health Organization. ILDS was formed
to: stimulate the cooperation of societies of Dermatology and
societies interested in all fields of cutaneous medicine and biology
throughout the world; encourage the worldwide advancement of
Dermatological education, care, and sciences; promote personal and
professional relations among the Dermatologists of the world;
represent Dermatology in commissions and international health
organizations; and organize a World Congress of Dermatology every four
years. The International Foundation for Dermatology (IFD) was
established by the ILDS to provide a growing program to improve the
care of skin disease in underserved areas of the developing world. IFD
successfully built the Regional Dermatology Training Center in Moshi,
Tanzania, which trains leaders among allied health workers and doctors
from the surrounding regions.
About The American Academy of Dermatology
Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology
(Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most
representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of
more than 17,000 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, hair and
nails. For more information, contact the Academy at 1-888-462-DERM
(3376) or www.aad.org. Follow the Academy on Facebook (American
Academy of Dermatology) or Twitter (@AADskin).
About Stiefel, a GSK company
Stiefel, a GSK company, is committed to advancing Dermatology and skin
science around the world in order to help people better achieve
healthier skin. Stiefel’s dedication to innovation, along with its
focus on pharmaceutical, over-the-counter and aesthetic Dermatology
products, has established Stiefel as a world leader in the skin health
industry. To learn more about Stiefel, visit www.stiefel.com.