Headwaters is pleased to announce a major donation from SC Johnson of nearly 90,000 cans of OFF!® Deep Woods® and OFF!® FamilyCare personal repellant. 

This donation will provide families with preventative resources against mosquitoes that may carry disease, complimenting two years of Headwaters’ public health education and initiatives in Haiti. Working on the ground in Haiti since the earthquake in 2010, Headwaters has built a network of trusted NGO partners. Headwaters will collaborate with these partners to distribute the donation and education materials to those most in need – children and families.

“Prevention and treatment of Zika is a serious public health challenge. If you can prevent yourself from being bitten by a mosquito, you can help stop the spread of the disease,” said Dr. Rebecca S. Hage Thomley, Headwaters Relief Organization. “We’ve spent the past two years providing education that gives the people of Haiti information on ways to prevent infection. This generous donation from SC Johnson amplifies our efforts, allowing us to provide people with the knowledge and tools they need to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses.”

This donation of personal repellent spray is the largest product donation that Headwaters has ever received. In addition to the generous donation from SC Johnson, this expansion of Headwaters education and prevention efforts could not be done without the dedication and support of:

  • KNOCK Inc., who led the design and creation of Zika prevention campaign, along with on-the-ground team support and generous financial contributions. 
  • Elizabette Miranda, CQ Fluency who ensured all Zika prevention materials were culturally relevant.
  • Nick Johnson, CSP Delivery, who provided warehouse space to store the SC Johnson donation.
  • Dan Leitner and Shawn Hermanson, Hermanson & Leitner, for connecting us with Nick Johnson and helping to secure the warehouse space needed.
  • Todd Heilicher, BMH Properties, for ongoing support and counsel.
  • Todd Boone, B&F Fasteners, for ongoing support and counsel.

Zika virus is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti species mosquito. Infection during pregnancy has been known to cause certain birth defects. Haiti’s citizens are in need of personal repellant, education and support to help fight mosquito-borne disease like Zika. As of September 2016, Haiti has reported nearly 3,000 suspected cases of Zika, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.