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From San Antonio to Africa, Local Businesses Join Forces in Humanitarian Effort

From San Antonio to Africa, Local Businesses Join Forces in Humanitarian Effort

Published 06-08-07

Submitted by Vital Aid Technologies

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 8, 2007--Two local companies are pooling their resources to fulfill a humanitarian effort spearheaded by Vital Aid Technologies, the charitable arm of Vital Needs International in San Antonio. VNI is a local biomedical firm that has a patented formulary, bismuth sodium tartrate, also known as Clear Relief(TM), a liquid antacid. Outside the United States, relief organizations and missionaries use the product to help eliminate gastrointestinal problems, including severe diarrhea.

Joining the project is Seguin manufacturer Pure and Gentle Inc. (PGI) who has agreed to make the product at cost for Vital Aid.

The first manufacturing run of the product for distribution into Africa will be Tuesday, June 12th at 11:00 a.m. at the PGI plant, located at 2460 Crossroads Blvd., Seguin, Texas 78155. Media are invited for photo-ops and interviews.

Clear Relief is an FDA-cleared product and is the first clear bismuth solution that contains no subsalicylates and requires significantly less volume for effective control of virus-induced gastrointestinal problems. Bismuth is known for its symptomatic relief of hyperacidity and newly recognized for its action against H. pylori, the bacteria associated with ulcers.

"Diarrhea in young people can be a life-threatening condition in Africa and our product, Clear Relief, resolves symptoms, usually within 24 hours," said Debra Tengler, newly named director of Vital Aid Technologies. "We are delighted that PGI is working with us to help children in an orphanage in Mozambique."

The Centers for Disease Control reports that four million people die worldwide each year, almost 11,000 daily, from diarrhea and related symptoms. PGI President John Blount says his company is filling 10,000 bottles this week for distribution into missionary organizations in Africa and around the globe. "It's exciting to help, in our small way, to bring health and happiness to the children of Africa," he said.

Clear Relief is one of six medical technologies developed by VNI in the past six years. Vital Aid Technologies is looking for corporate sponsors and individuals to help distribute this and other life giving technologies through missionary organizations.

Media Packets and B-roll will be available on Monday, June 11th. A video describing the mission of Vital Aid Technologies can be viewed at the VNI website: www.vitalneeds.com.

Copyright Business Wire 2007

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