Baltimore, MD – October 23, 2006: Univera LifeSciences, the world’s leading healthy- aging relationship marketing company and part of the global ECONET group, has pledged $150,000 to support ‘Operation 20/20’ – a major step forward in Vitamin Angels’ global initiative to eradicate childhood blindness resulting from Vitamin A deficiency worldwide by the year 2020. Announced at a “Celebration of Angels” at the recent Natural Products Expo East trade show in Baltimore, MD, the donations will help launch Vitamin Angels’ effort in 26 countries, to save 4.5 million children from going blind due to Vitamin A deficiency in 2007.
“This contribution is just part of our effort to address malnutrition in children – the world’s most vulnerable population,” said Derek Hall, Vice-Chairman and CEO of ECONET. “Univera LifeSciences, through its non-profit charity, Univera Serve First, is already working closely with Vitamin Angles in a rural Mississippi elementary school program to deliver Ageless Essentials – a nutritionally comprehensive meal-replacement drink.”
Univera LifeSciences Sales Associates across the United States have stepped up with more than $100,000 in cash contributions to date to support the efforts of the Serve First Mississippi program, which launched with $1 million of product contribution from Univera, and is administered by Vitamin Angels. “Serve First affirms the business model of the ECONET global family of companies, which combines world class natural products with community service,” said Susan Haeger, Vice President Corporate Communications, who announced the companies support of Vitamin Angels’ programs at the Baltimore event.
About the ECONET Family of Companies
Unigen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (www.unigenpharma.com) is a leading research and development company and proprietary ingredients supplier of therapeutic botanicals for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic industries. Aloecorp, Inc. (www.aloecorp.com) is the world’s leading vertically integrated fine ingredient Aloe vera manufacturer and supplier focused on scientific methodology and procedures which guarantee product quality, purity, potency and biological activity supported by published, peer-reviewed studies. Univera LifeSciences, Inc. (formerly Oasis LifeSciences) (www.univeralifesciences.com), is the world’s leading healthy aging company with full-scale genomic, proteomic and biological research capabilities unmatched in advanced research, technology and manufacturing capabilities.
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Contact: Susan Haeger
VP Corporate Communications & Government Affairs
(360) 486-8300, ext. 1030
shaeger@econetwest.com