Galderma, Maker of Cetaphil Moisturizers and Cleansers, Continues Partnership with Camp Wonder

FT. WORTH, Texas, June 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fort Worth's Galderma, a Nestlé Skin Health company and maker of Cetaphil, the #1 dermatologist-recommended brand of cleansers and moisturizers, is continuing its unique partnership with Camp Wonder, a medically staffed summer camp program for children ages 7 to 16 with serious and often fatal skin diseases. Galderma will donate $100,000 to the Children's Skin Disease Foundation (CSDF) as well as provide Cetaphil products for this year's Camp Wonder campers. Five Galderma employees will also serve as full-time volunteer camp counselors during the June 19 to June 24 camp in Livermore, California.

An initiative of the CSDF, Camp Wonder provides a summer program that gives campers with severe and often life-threatening skin diseases the opportunity to participate in traditional summer camp activities such as playing sports, swimming, climbing rock walls and going to the "prom."  Due to the intense medical needs associated with some serious skin diseases, many of the campers would otherwise never be able to attend a traditional summer camp.  Camp Wonder gives all campers an authentic summer camp experience regardless of their medical needs or the discomfort associated with the physical and emotional effects of their skin disease.

"Camp Wonder provides a medically safe and supportive environment so campers can be comfortable in their own skin while experiencing the joys of summer," said Miles Harrison, President and General Manager of Galderma North America. "Our single mission is to serve the skin health needs of patients and consumers and we are proud to support these kids with the message that their disease does not define them or limit them."

"Mikaela first learned about Camp Wonder through a commercial for the Wonder Run in Fort Worth," said Diana Jauregui, mother of Mikaela, age 15, who is attending Camp Wonder for the second time. "She insisted we go to the event to find out more information.  She attended Camp Wonder the next year and had a life-changing experience. My daughter came back a different person.

"Since her experience at camp she no longer lets her eczema define her. The experiences she had and the friends she met at Camp Wonder have made her more confident. She's also realized that while her eczema is severe, there are others who have it far worse. We're thankful that there is a camp for children with skin diseases, a place they can go without feeling judged or ashamed."

"I'm looking forward to seeing Camp Wonder in person," said Pamela Baker, Senior Business Systems Analyst for Galderma in Fort Worth. "This will be my first time as a camp counselor and it will be inspiring to see our company's products making a difference in the lives of these children who suffer from severe skin diseases. Many of the campers live with unfathomable challenges and this is a chance for them to simply have fun. I can't wait to meet these kids and see them really let loose and enjoy themselves freely without feeling embarrassed or different."

The camp, including travel to California, is free for every child who attends. Eighty-five campers from all over the U.S. will attend this summer and nearly 2,000 children have benefitted from the Camp Wonder experience since it was founded in 2001. The skin diseases campers there have been diagnosed with include alopecia areata, vitiligo, pemphigoid, Gorlin Syndrome and Epidermolysis Bullosa. 

Since 2012, more than $700,000 in funds and in-kind donations have been provided to CSDF and Camp Wonder by Galderma.  The company has given $100,000 a year each year during this time and with product donations and other fundraising efforts including the Wonder Run and Derm Nights hosted at Major League Baseball stadiums around the U.S., their support has grown steadily each year.

"Our on-going commitment to Camp Wonder speaks to our passion for skin health.  Every child deserves to know what it feels like to be a kid and I'm proud that we can be a part of making lives better for children who suffer both physically and emotionally from skin diseases," added Harrison. Galderma and Nestlé Skin Health also sponsor the annual Wonder Run, a 5K and 1K that takes place in Fort Worth in October to support CSDF and Camp Wonder.

About Galderma

Galderma, Nestlé Skin Health's medical solutions business, was created in 1981 and is now present in over 100 countries with an extensive product portfolio to treat a range of dermatological conditions. The company partners with health care practitioners around the world to meet the skin health needs of people throughout their lifetime. Galderma is a leader in research and development of scientifically-defined and medically-proven solutions for the skin, hair and nails. For more information, please visit www.galdermausa.com or www.galderma.com.

About Nestlé Skin Health

Nestlé Skin Health's mission is to enhance quality of life by delivering science-based solutions for the health of skin, hair and nails. As one of the category's leading companies, Nestlé Skin Health conducts ground-breaking product research to provide both the healthcare community and the consumer with an ongoing progression of innovative technologies and products to protect, serve and enhance skin health.  For more information, visit www.nestleskinhealth.com.

About Cetaphil

The Family of Cetaphil^® Cleansers and Moisturizers is a line of dermatologist-recommended skin care products specially formulated for all skin types and conditions. Cetaphil^® products are developed to provide effective, gentle skin care. The Cetaphil® brand began in 1947 when a pharmacist invented what became the iconic Gentle Skin Cleanser. Today, dermatologists, pediatricians, and healthy skin experts trust and recommend Cetaphil cleansers and moisturizers for all skin types and conditions. Cetaphil.com. Facebook.com/Cetaphil.

About Camp Wonder

Camp Wonder was created by Francesca Tenconi in 2001. At age 11, Francesca was diagnosed with pemphigus foliaceus, a potentially life threatening skin disease. Throughout her treatment she met other kids who suffered from skin problems and wanted to find ways to help them. In May 2000 on her 16^th birthday, Francesca asked friends and family to donate money to help her start a charity in lieu of giving her gifts. Four days later, the Children's Skin Disease Foundation (CSDF) was formed. Thankfully, Francesca made a full recovery and is now working on dermatology research while continuing to work with CSDF. In addition to raising money for medical research and family assistance, CSDF started Camp Wonder—a summer program where children with serious and fatal skin diseases can just be kids.

SOURCE Galderma

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