SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Devastated by another catastrophic natural disaster, the USANA True Health Foundation donates $20,000 to International Relief Teams (IRT), a nonprofit international humanitarian organization, to aid victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan. This is the third donation sent to support relief efforts in the Philippines from the charitable foundation established by USANA Health Sciences Inc. (NYSE: USNA) since its inception in 2012.

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"We are grief stricken by the destruction of this super storm. Our duty now is to do whatever it takes to help the resilient people of the Philippines," said Elaine Pace, president of the USANA True Health Foundation. "The devastating series of natural disasters in the past year is proof that these wonderful people will not only survive, but will thrive. We are relieved that USANA can be one of many helping hands in this disaster relief effort."

According to the Philippine government, Typhoon Haiyan has severely impacted over 4 million people. Hundreds of villages and urban neighborhoods have been destroyed or severely damaged. Entire populations are without basic essentials including, food, clean water, medical care, electricity, warm clothes and adequate shelter.

The money donated by the USANA True Health Foundation for emergency aid will serve 15,000 people for one week. This includes immediate survival essentials such as clean water, water purification tablets and food. 

"We have an incredible USANA family, 25,000 Distributors strong in the Philippines," said Dan Macuga, USANA chief communications officer. "Their courage and goodness inspires our global team. That's why we feel it so important to help them and all those suffering in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan."

Yet out of the depths of destruction, rises the indestructible spirit of the people of the Philippines. USANA received word today that its Independent Distributor Council in the Philippines will be holding a 5,000-participant Fun Run on Jan. 19, 2014, to raise money for the USANA True Health Foundation in an effort to help others in need.

"I came into my office this morning after a weekend sick with worry about our colleagues in the Philippines, to see an email from the management team there," said Jim Bramble, who is a USANA True Health Foundation board member and USANA's chief legal officer and general counsel. "When I saw the subject line, I naturally assumed it was a request for help from the True Health Foundation. Instead, I couldn't believe my eyes that in the days immediately following one of the worst storms in recorded history, our team there was not asking for help, but permission to organize an event to help others, I am humbled to work among such great people."

For more information about the USANA True Health Foundation or to find out how you can donate, please visit USANAfoundation.org.

About USANA True Health Foundation: The USANA True Health Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created by Dr. Myron Wentz, USANA's founder, and USANA CEO Dave Wentz, to help expand and enhance USANA's on-going charitable efforts. Its mission is to provide the most critical human necessities to those suffering or in need. USANA True Health Foundation has an active partnership with organizations such as HealthCorps and the Children's Hunger Fund, which share the same vision of making the world a happier and healthier place. Learn more at our website (www.USANAfoundation.org), follow us on Twitter (@USANAfoundation), or like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/USANAfoundation).

Media Contact:
Elaine M. Pace, President
USANA True Health Foundation
(801) 954-7200
media(at)us(dot)usana(dot)com 

SOURCE USANA True Health Foundation