Merz donates Mederma for injured children, wounded soldiers

Greensboro, N.C. - Merz Pharmaceuticals, based here, has announced the donation of 10,000 tubes of its Mederma consumer skincare product to several nonprofit organizations in the United States, including those for members of the military who have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, Medadnews.com reports.

The donation is valued at $310,000. The topical gel reduces the appearance of old and new scars, the company says.

Medadnews.com quotes Merz CEO Terry Conrad as saying, “We strongly believe it is important to give back to the community whenever possible, so on behalf of our employees, we hope that this gesture will not only help our returning soldiers, but will also make a difference in the lives of children who have undergone reconstructive surgery or perhaps been injured.”

Among the groups receiving the Mederma donation are Operation Homefront, Operation Smile and the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization that provides emergency support and encouragement to wounded soldiers and their families.

Operation Smile is an international children’s medical charity dedicated to helping children and young adults born with facial deformities. Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 pediatric hospitals in North America that offer specialized care for orthopedic conditions, burns and spinal cord injuries, all provided at no cost to the recipients.