#USA #Vaseline #Direct Relief #Healing Project #Los Angeles, New Orleans

Vaseline and Direct Relief Join Forces to Enhance Skin Health

In an impactful move, Vaseline®, a trusted name in skin care, has partnered with Direct Relief, a humanitarian organization, to donate $100,000 aimed at expanding skin health access through mobile medical units in Los Angeles and New Orleans. This initiative marks a significant step in the Vaseline Healing Project's ongoing effort to reach underserved populations, especially in the wake of natural disasters.

Since its inception, the Vaseline Healing Project has reached over 27 million individuals worldwide. The new funding will bolster mobile clinics operated by Venice Family Clinic in Los Angeles and Baptist Community Health Services in New Orleans. These clinics play a crucial role in delivering comprehensive healthcare services, particularly dermatological care, to neighborhoods still reeling from the impacts of hurricanes, wildfires, and long-term systemic barriers to medical care.

The significance of this effort cannot be overstated. Following a natural disaster, the urgency for care often dissipates, leaving communities vulnerable and exposed. Basic needs, such as skin health that encompasses wound care and infection prevention, frequently remain unaddressed. The support from Vaseline ensures that essential medical services persist even when media attention wanes. The mobile units continue to deliver care directly into communities that are in need long after the initial crisis has passed.

"Mobile medical units are essential in areas where traditional healthcare access is limited or non-existent," stated Kathleen Dunlop, Chief Marketing Officer, Beauty & Wellbeing, Unilever North America. "By collaborating with esteemed clinics and our long-time partner Direct Relief, we aim to make skin health a priority for all, regardless of their circumstances. Healing Starts Here with proactive community outreach."

Expanding Critical Services in Strategic Locations

The clinics funded by this partnership will provide a variety of services with the inclusion of on-site dermatology, mental health support, and crucial cancer screenings. In Los Angeles, the grant supports Venice Family Clinic’s mobile unit, which aims to increase outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness and others impacted by the catastrophic wildfires. Meanwhile, in New Orleans, the mobile medical unit of Baptist Community Health Services targets the Ninth Ward, an area still overcoming the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

"For many residents in New Orleans, the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina have made healthcare access a persistent challenge due to transportation gaps and inequitable healthcare availability," noted Philip Brodst, CEO of Baptist Community Health Services. "Our mobile unit allows us to bring vital healthcare services right into the neighborhoods, catering to those who need it most."

Emem Brown, a Physician Assistant at Venice Family Clinic, reinforced the importance of meeting people where they are - emotionally and physically. "Support for mobile units means delivering comprehensive care to those often neglected. It bridges the gap that can restore dignity and health to the most vulnerable areas in our community."

Building Awareness Through Community Engagement

To celebrate this partnership, Vaseline recently hosted an event in Los Angeles featuring dermatologists, community leaders, and advocates. This gathering highlighted the importance of mobile care in improving access to healthcare for marginalized groups. Panel discussions, moderated by Shirley Raines from Beauty2theStreetz, focused on how care is vital for restoring not just skin health but a sense of humanity.

"These mobile units are more than clinics on wheels; they're a source of hope for individuals who may feel overlooked by conventional healthcare systems," Raines emphasized. By delivering necessary health services into the heart of communities, Vaseline and Direct Relief are advocating for a broader vision of equitable health access.

A Commitment to Global Health

The mobile medical units represent a broader aim in Vaseline's mission that aligns with its belief that skin health is a universal right, not a privilege. With the Vaseline Healing Project nearing its 10-year mark, the initiative seeks to impact 33 million people by 2030 through continued partnerships with organizations like Direct Relief, HUED, and VisualDx.

As Vaseline celebrates over 150 years of commitment to skin health, it remains a pillar of support in communities worldwide. The ongoing projects ensure resources are available to those who need them, reinforcing the idea that every individual deserves access to proper skincare and medical assistance, especially in the wake of a crisis.