U.S. Intrinsic Organics Expands Facilities to Accommodate Organic Inulin Demand

WEISER, Idaho, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Idaho based Intrinsic Organics, LLC (IO) a B2B company specializing in clinically documented and 100% USDA Organic inulin has expanding its raw material storage capability. This expansion will allow us to keep up with growing customer demand, company owned farm operations growth, and to continue to position the company for the future growth in the growing Prebiotic market.

WEISER, Idaho, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Idaho based Intrinsic Organics, LLC (IO) a B2B company specializing in clinically documented and 100% USDA Organic inulin has expanding its raw material storage capability. This expansion will allow us to keep up with growing customer demand, company owned farm operations growth, and to continue to position the company for the future growth in the growing Prebiotic market.

The IO team has grown from a beginning staff of 10 employees to more than 40 since it began commercial operations three over years ago.  IO just completed construction of two new custom-fit 15,000 square foot storage facilities that provide environmentally controlled storage for the Jerusalem Artichoke tubers harvested from their organic certified farm which now exceed 500 acres. The storage facilities will store Jerusalem Artichoke tubers between harvest and time of manufacture. Proper storage is critical to keeping the raw tubers fresh until the time it can go to the manufacturing process and extract the organic inulin.

«Our Jerusalem Artichoke Fiber (Inulin) provides food, beverage, and dietary supplement customers a great prebiotic ingredient that will also help to reduce added sugar, increase dietary fiber, improve mouth feel, and enhance clean label and organic labeling,» said Kyle Griffiths, Chief Marketing Officer for Intrinsic Organics.

The environmental controlled storage will provide the raw material storage capacity for current and future needs as Intrinsic Organics plans to continue to grow their farm and manufacturing operations well beyond its current state. Our 100% Organic Jerusalem Artichoke is grown and manufactured without the use of pesticides, harsh chemical for processing, allergens, chemically aided ion exchange and in environmentally friendly sustainable manner. With growing customer demand and acceptance, Intrinsic Organics expects to continue high growth over the next 3 to 7 years.

The Company

Located in Weiser Idaho of the USA, Intrinsic Organics specializes in the farming and manufacture of 100% organic inulin from Jerusalem Artichoke grown and manufactured in the USA.  Intrinsic Organics has quickly become the largest producer in North America of USDA organic inulin. Founded by Dave Erlebach, the company has built a custom fit, organic certified, manufacturing and storage facilities to produce organic inulin, a prebiotic fiber. The Intrinsic Organics farming operations today, consist of over 500 acres of company farmed certified organic land drawing water from Idaho’s Snake River, whose crystal-clear water source begins in Yellowstone National Park. Dave Erlebach (CEO) said, «We are excited for this expansion as further validation of our mission of growing organic crops in America for the production of organic, clean, and minimally processed ingredients for use in food, beverage, and supplement products.»   For questions, please contact us at info@intrinsicorganics.com.

 

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SOURCE Intrinsic Organics, LLC

Canadian Solar Starts Construction of a 10 MWp Solar Power Plant in Germany

GUELPH, ON, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Canadian Solar Inc. («Canadian Solar» or the «Company») (NASDAQ: CSIQ) announced today it commenced the construction of the 10 MWp Groß Siemz solar power plant in Germany.

The project is located on an 11-hectare area next to the highway A20 Groß Siemz, near the city Schönberg in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Northern…

GUELPH, ON, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Canadian Solar Inc. («Canadian Solar» or the «Company») (NASDAQ: CSIQ) announced today it commenced the construction of the 10 MWp Groß Siemz solar power plant in Germany.

The project is located on an 11-hectare area next to the highway A20 Groß Siemz, near the city Schönberg in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Northern Germany. Canadian Solar is the turnkey solutions provider for the PV plant, responsible for most of the project execution including the design, engineering, procurement and construction, and will be powering the solar plant with over 22,900 pieces of Canadian Solar high-efficiency mono-PERC modules. GS Solar GmbH & Co. KG, the customer and project owner, will connect the plant to the grid in October 2020 and Canadian Solar will provide the operations & maintenance («O&M») services.

Once operational, the PV plant will generate approximately 10 GWh of clean and reliable solar energy annually, enough to meet the needs of over 3,000 households. Through the project lifetime, it is expected to displace approximately 90,000 metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions.

Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO, commented, «As a top-tier solar module brand and global project developer with strong technical and financing capabilities, providing turnkey solutions and O&M services is a natural extension of Canadian Solar’s unique value proposition. We now have more than 3 GW of operational or contracted O&M agreements across the world. We are proud to share our extensive expertise in the solar industry and to provide one-stop-shop solutions to our customers.»

About Canadian Solar Inc.

Canadian Solar was founded in 2001 in Canada and is one of the world’s largest solar power companies. It is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules and provider of solar energy solutions and has a geographically diversified pipeline of utility-scale solar power projects in various stages of development. Over the past 19 years, Canadian Solar has successfully delivered over 43 GW of premium-quality, solar photovoltaic modules to customers in over 160 countries. Canadian Solar is one of the most bankable companies in the solar industry, having been publicly listed on NASDAQ since 2006. For additional information about the Company, follow Canadian Solar on LinkedIn or visit www.canadiansolar.com.

Canadian Solar’s Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements are made under the «Safe Harbor» provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by such terms as «believes,» «expects,» «anticipates,» «intends,» «estimates,» the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include general business and economic conditions and the state of the solar industry; governmental support for the deployment of solar power; future available supplies of high-purity silicon; demand for end-use products by consumers and inventory levels of such products in the supply chain; changes in demand from significant customers; changes in demand from major markets such as Japan, the U.S., India and China; changes in customer order patterns; changes in product mix; capacity utilization; level of competition; pricing pressure and declines in average selling prices; delays in new product introduction; delays in utility-scale project approval process; delays in utility-scale project construction; delays in the completion of project sales; continued success in technological innovations and delivery of products with the features customers demand; shortage in supply of materials or capacity requirements; availability of financing; exchange rate fluctuations; litigation and other risks as described in the Company’s SEC filings, including its annual report on Form 20-F filed on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2020. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance, or achievements. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All information provided in this press release is as of today’s date, unless otherwise stated, and Canadian Solar undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

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SOURCE Canadian Solar Inc.

Coalition Continues to Grow in Opposition to California’s Proposed Menthol Cigarette Ban

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Neighborhood Forward convened a distinguished panel of respected faith-based and professional African-Americans, on Thursday, July 30th, to discuss the unintended consequences of a proposed…

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Neighborhood Forward convened a distinguished panel of respected faith-based and professional African-Americans, on Thursday, July 30th, to discuss the unintended consequences of a proposed menthol cigarette ban making its way through the California legislature.  Many within the African-American community have voiced concern over Senate Bill 793 and its likelihood to increase racial profiling by law enforcement, based on statistics that suggest menthol cigarettes are overwhelmingly preferred by African Americans who chose to smoke.

Some California legislators, who have subscribed to paternalistic attitudes and views towards communities of color have supported Senate Bill 793 under the guise of «protecting the health of vulnerable African-Americans».  If this were truly an issue of American’s «health» they would seek a ban on all forms of cigarettes, not those preferred in the African-American community, as well as seek the advice of faith, civil rights, black law enforcement, and the social justice community.

«The road to hell is paid in good intentions,» said Jody Armour, the highly respected Roy P. Crocker Professor of Law at the University of Southern California.  «We can’t criminalize our way out of social problems.»

Armour pondered «what lessons have we learned from the last 30 years» as we have evolved from Jim Crow to mass incarceration which has become the vanguard of civil rights issues.

Armour further discussed the court’s interpretation of «pre-text stops» being constitutional, which ultimately gives law enforcement the ability to stop a motorist for a simple infraction as a non-working taillight.  This proposed ban would also fit the criteria of «pre-text» stops for simply possessing a cigarette.

Retired NYPD Lt. Corey Pegues echoed that sentiment stating that over 50% of the cigarettes on the streets of New York are coming from an «underground economy» as a means to survival.

Citing Eric Garner as an example of an unintended consequence of a «pre-text» encounter gone bad.

Garner was in possession of single cigarettes, commonly identified as «loosies» which initiated his interaction with law enforcement officers who subsequently killed him with an illegal chokehold.

Pegues concluded many African-American’s have been jailed over possession of marijuana which is now becoming legalized, in many states, showing the perception of its use was wrong.

«How does our youth have a right to smoke marijuana when Big Mama can’t have her menthol cigarettes?» asked Pegues.

Civil rights leaders state that although they aren’t advocates of smoking they are advocates of preserving our right to choose.

«Don’t deny one group the right to smoke while allowing another group their right to choose,» said Pastor William Smart President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.  «Hookah is being carved out of SB 793 which against gives preferential treatment to one race over another which is why SCLC is in this fight.»

The panel discussion was led by former U.S. Congressman member Kendrick Meeks and included Pastor KW Tullos, President of the Black Ministers Conference, Joseph Paul, City of Refuge, Roz Renfro, Vice-President of L.A. Black Pride and Dr. Amos Brown, who has marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who are all in agreement that we know what’s best for us and don’t need legislation to tell us we can’t smoke our preferred method of tobacco in order to invite rogue officers into our personal space with the sole intention of filling prisons with African-Americans.

ABOUT:
Neighborhood FORWARD is a movement built by concerned citizens, faith leaders, civil rights activists, elected officials, business partners, and non-profit organizations throughout the country. https://www.neighborhoodforward.org/

Media Contacts:
Info@neighborhoodforward.org
ncholmes3434@gmail.com  
Gwenprdiva@gmail.com 

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SOURCE Neighborhood Forward

Mullen’s Miracles announces the activation of its second stage to nourish the needs of those in crisis

ATLANTA, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Mullen’s Miracles announced today the activation of its second stage as a newly established non-profit organization dedicated to nourishing the needs of those in crisis. Mullen’s Miracles is providing individualized options, respective support systems, and support provisions to those on the edge, to those assisting others in crisis and to those that have lost a loved one to suicide.

Kathy’s only child Eric William Mullen took…

ATLANTA, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Mullen’s Miracles announced today the activation of its second stage as a newly established non-profit organization dedicated to nourishing the needs of those in crisis. Mullen’s Miracles is providing individualized options, respective support systems, and support provisions to those on the edge, to those assisting others in crisis and to those that have lost a loved one to suicide.

Kathy’s only child Eric William Mullen took his life on 10-02-18. This decision shattered her world. As an extension of her motherhood to Eric, family, and friends, Kathy is committed to finding a way to help others have the support they need when in a crisis and reduce loss through suicide. This commitment she made to Eric has become her guiding light. She formed Mullen’s Miracles and has personally funded the first two stages of all the work that has occurred.

Taking the time to develop the organization correctly, Kathy is building her non-profit with authenticity and an authority to ensure every aspect of her organization can have the benefits available to those seeking what Mullen’s Miracles offers.

«From aligning the programs and offerings to the compliance and messaging, the board members, core teams, and branding and marketing; this organization is being structured with the authority that will allow us to help all those who need it while honoring Eric and his memory. With every step and in every stage, I am committed to growing Mullen’s Miracles into a legacy organization that will serve nation-wide well beyond my involvement,» says Founder and Executive Director Kathy Mullen.

This stage of Mullen’s Miracles includes building up the overall architecture of the programs that have been identified, while focusing on the operational elements, growing the team and the board. An array of content will be distributed across numerous online channels through blogs, audios, images, and videos, sharing the message and methodology.

The third stage is the birthing and launch of the core programs, directory, and the organization as a whole on Friday, October 2nd, 2020. This date coincides with the second anniversary since Eric’s passing, bringing a new healing and added meaning to that date.

In this present stage, Mullen’s Miracles is building requesting support in spreading its message, growing its team, and connecting its directories to more resources for those in need of them. Mullen’s Miracles is a humble organization founded on a personal mission and vision. It is open to adding, supplementing, and expanding ideas that will allow it to reach and aid those in need.

Learn more about joining the team, the directory, adding to the programs or volunteering at https://mullensmiracles.org/.

Mullen’s Miracles a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in the state of Georgia, USA.

*PHOTO: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0804s2p-kathy-mullen-300dpi.jpg

This release was issued through Send2Press®, a unit of Neotrope®. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com

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SOURCE Mullen’s Miracles

Last Mile Holdings’ Gotcha Mobility Continues to See Strong Ridership and Expansion in New Markets Throughout the Summer Months

Heavy Adoption in Newly Launched Markets and Increased Usage of Cruiser Product Drive Ongoing Performance Improvements

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ – Last Mile Holdings Ltd. («MILE» or the «Company») (TSXV: MILE) (OTC: AZNVF), a leading micro-mobility company with…

Heavy Adoption in Newly Launched Markets and Increased Usage of Cruiser Product Drive Ongoing Performance Improvements

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ – Last Mile Holdings Ltd. («MILE» or the «Company») (TSXV: MILE) (OTC: AZNVF), a leading micro-mobility company with the broadest product suite in the industry, today provided its latest update highlighting certain key performance indicators («KPIs») and new market launches driving the success and significant growth in its recently acquired and now fully integrated operating subsidiary, Gotcha Mobility («Gotcha»). The Company’s announcement is a further update to  prior press releases originally issued on June 17, 2020 and July 6, 2020, respectively.

Strong performance within the expanding Gotcha ecosystem and expected continued growth is being driven in large part by the following highlights:

  • In the month of July, Gotcha officially launched micro-mobility systems in the following cities and states: Galveston, TX (e-scooters and cruisers); South El Monte, CA (e-bikes); and St. Clair Shores, MI (e-scooters).
  • Consistent revenue driven by high ridership in key markets, such as: Memphis, TN (cruisers); Baton Rouge, LA (e-bikes); and Charleston, SC (pedal bikes).
  • After a contract renewal, Gotcha is re-launching its exclusive e-scooter program at Michigan State University in early August as students return for the fall semester.
  • Average ride times have remained at consistent levels since early May and continue to represent significant increases across the board from pre-COVID-19 pandemic averages.
  • Outperformance within the higher-margin cruiser and scooter products in the summer months contributing to attractive unit-economic profile.
  • In early August, Gotcha surpassed 86,000 unique riders across its multi-modal fleet and has logged more than 260,000 trips year-to-date.

Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Gotcha has been coordinating efforts with university and municipal partners to keep its products on the streets and provide riders a socially-distant transportation alternative. With many universities anticipating various level of student attendance in the fall of this year, Gotcha expects to record increased usage within many of its current 30 university locations, including its upcoming re-launch at Michigan State University.

«During a time when there has been so much upheaval in the marketplace and the broader economy, we have generated consistent and improving results in many markets and across all offerings,» said MILE CEO Max Smith. «Our multi-modal approach to transportation solutions as well as our highly-targeted go-to-market strategy continues to prove itself as a superior long-term, fiscally responsible growth plan. With certain student populations slated to return to some of our larger existing markets this fall, we are conservatively monitoring usage rate and are optimistic that ridership levels have significant room for even further improvement in the months ahead as we can provide our riders with a socially-distant and safe way to get around campus.»

For more information on Last Mile Holdings, visit lastmile-holdings.com.

About Last Mile Holdings
Last Mile Holdings (TSXV: MILE), formerly OjO Electric, is one of the largest micro-mobility companies in the U.S., offering the broadest product suite in the industry. Last Mile has 30 university and 50 municipal contracted shared mobility systems under the OjO and Gotcha brands. The acquisition of Gotcha in the first quarter of 2020 provides an expansive growth pipeline and a portfolio of products including electric bikes, trikes, scooters, and cruisers. For more information, visit lastmile-holdings.com.

Follow us on social:
LinkedIn: Last Mile Holdings

About Gotcha Mobility
Gotcha, a subsidiary of Last Mile Holdings, is a shared electric mobility company dedicated to providing innovative products and technologies that get people out of single-occupancy cars and safely onto efficient, sustainable micro-transit products. The company operates electric bikes, trikes, scooters, and cruisers as transportation solutions tailored to cities and universities across the US. Gotcha empowers communities to lead happier, more productive lives through the transformative power of affordable, accessible micro-transit. For more information, visit ridegotcha.com.

Follow us on social:
Instagram: @RideGotcha
Facebook: @RideGotcha

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release includes certain «forward-looking statements» and «forward-looking information» under applicable Canadian securities legislation that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: Last Mile Holdings and Gotcha’s business and prospects and the Company’s objectives, goals or future plans, including the planned deployment of its mobility units; and the business, operations, and management of the Company. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the ability of Company to meet its deployment targets, access to sufficient mobility units, meeting the requirement of the permits granted to Company, general business, economic and social uncertainties including the impact of COVID-19; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; those additional risks set out in the Company’s public documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com; and other discussed in this news release. Accordingly, the forward-looking statements discussed in this release, may not occur and could differ materially as a result of these known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the companies. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Reader Advisory
Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility of the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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SOURCE Last Mile Holdings Ltd.

Direct Relief Joins Solidarity Fund to Help South Africans Overcome COVID-19 Crisis

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Direct Relief has joined the fight against COVID-19 in South Africa, throwing its financial and organizational support behind the Solidarity Fund, a South African public benefit initiative.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Direct Relief has joined the fight against COVID-19 in South Africa, throwing its financial and organizational support behind the Solidarity Fund, a South African public benefit initiative.

The Solidarity Fund was formed in March 2020 as a rapid response vehicle to augment the South African government’s response to COVID-19. It is focused on reducing coronavirus transmission, including through communications driving behavioral change; health response, including obtaining personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline health workers; and humanitarian response, including food relief for people who have lost their means of sustenance.

Direct Relief is acting as the fiscal agent for the Solidarity Fund in the United States, enabling U.S. residents and corporations to easily make donations to the Fund. 100% of all donations made at https://www.directrelief.org/SolidarityFund will be delivered to the Solidarity Fund.

Direct Relief itself has donated $1 million to the Solidarity Fund and has advised the Fund on purchases of large quantities of PPE from China.

«South Africa’s Solidarity Fund is exactly the type of unifying, pragmatic approach that makes sense in the face of a pandemic that threatens everyone,» said Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe, who also serves as Managing Director of Direct Relief South Africa, the organization’s South African affiliate, a Section 21 nonprofit. «Direct Relief is so pleased to participate in this important effort that is pulling people and organizations together to help address both the obvious direct threats to public health and the many related effects, particularly for those in already difficult circumstances.»

Within two months of its establishment, the Fund delivered food packages to about 300,000 vulnerable households. Each package was designed to provide a family with food essentials for two to four weeks. The Fund is now rolling out the second phase of the food relief program in the form of food vouchers, after determining it would be a more effective and efficient way to provide the assistance.

The Fund has played a catalytic role in responding to the impact of the pandemic on the health system by procuring critical medical equipment and PPE for healthcare workers and expanding testing capacity.

The Solidarity Fund has so far distributed nearly 20 million units of PPE, including gloves, gowns, masks, sanitizers, boot covers and face shields to healthcare workers in public sector hospitals and clinics, as well as to community health workers. The Fund has also provided more than 1 million surgical masks to nine medical schools across the country to help fifth- and sixth-year medical students and those in allied health sciences resume clinical blocks and complete their studies.

«We are privileged to have social partners such as Direct Relief who through their contributions have expressed confidence in the Solidarity Fund’s efforts to make an impactful contribution towards South Africa’s fight against COVID-19,» said the Fund’s Deputy Chairman Adrian Enthoven. «As a fiscal agent to the Fund, Direct Relief makes it possible for interested international donors to make a contribution in an efficient way that otherwise wouldn’t be available to the Fund. We are grateful for their support and solidarity with our mission of assisting South Africa’s health and humanitarian efforts during this challenging time.»

The Fund is being operated by more than 90 full-time voluntary staff across a network of 25 companies and organizations that are providing support services. In the spirit of unity in action, all of the talent and skills that have been mobilized to assist the Fund are doing so on a pro bono basis, with no one earning fees or a salary from the Fund. The Fund works closely with government and business but is independent of both. Insurance company Old Mutual Ltd. is administering the funds on a pro bono basis, and the Fund is reporting detailed information on donations received and expenditures made.

Many of South Africa’s top political and business leaders pledged to donate 30 percent of their salaries earned over three months to the Fund.

The behavioral change initiative being run by the Fund encourages mask-wearing and hand-washing, and seeks to reduce practices that risk COVID-19 transmission, such as attending heavily-crowded funerals. It has partnered with the National House of Traditional Leaders to help traditional leaders communicate prevention messages to their communities.

About The Solidarity Fund
The Solidarity Fund is a South African public benefit organization created in March 2020 to support the national health response, contribute to humanitarian relief efforts and mobilize South Africans in the fight against COVID-19. It is a platform for the general public, civil society and the public and private sectors to contribute to the consolidated effort to fund initiatives addressing COVID-19. A July 2020 report detailing the Solidarity Fund’s PPE response to date is available at https://solidarityfund.co.za/media/2020/07/924551_SF_Health_Report_Updated_new_hr-1.pdf, and more information is available at https://solidarityfund.co.za/.

About Direct Relief
A humanitarian organization committed to improving the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies, Direct Relief delivers lifesaving medical resources throughout the world to communities in need—without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay. For more information, please visit https://www.DirectRelief.org.

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SOURCE Direct Relief

NeoTract Designates Dr. Daniel Arrison as UroLift® Center of Excellence

PLEASANTON, Calif., Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — NeoTract, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX) focused on addressing unmet needs in the field of urology, today announced that Daniel Arrison, M.D., Chesapeake Urology Associates in Bel Air, MD, has been designated as a UroLift® Center of Excellence. The designation recognizes that Dr. Arrison has achieved a high level of training and experience with the…

PLEASANTON, Calif., Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — NeoTract, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX) focused on addressing unmet needs in the field of urology, today announced that Daniel Arrison, M.D., Chesapeake Urology Associates in Bel Air, MD, has been designated as a UroLift® Center of Excellence. The designation recognizes that Dr. Arrison has achieved a high level of training and experience with the UroLift® System and demonstrated a commitment to exemplary care for men suffering from symptoms associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate.

Recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines, the FDA-cleared Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue.

The UroLift Center of Excellence program is designed to highlight urologists who are committed to educating their patients on BPH and the UroLift System as a treatment option and consistently seek to deliver excellent patient outcomes and experiences.

«We are pleased to recognize Dr. Daniel Arrison as a UroLift Center of Excellence for his commitment to providing consistent care to BPH patients using the UroLift System treatment,» said Dave Amerson, president of the Teleflex Interventional Urology business unit. «This achievement has helped many patients experience durable, long- term relief from the burdensome symptoms of BPH while preserving sexual function*1,2.»

Over 40 million men in the United States are affected by BPH, a condition that occurs when the prostate gland that surrounds the male urethra becomes enlarged with advancing age and begins to obstruct the urinary system. Symptoms of BPH often include interrupted sleep and urinary problems and can cause loss of productivity, depression and decreased quality of life.

Medication is often the first-line therapy for enlarged prostate, but relief can be inadequate and temporary. Side effects of medication treatment can include sexual dysfunction, dizziness and headaches, prompting many patients to quit using the drugs. For these patients, the classic alternative is surgery that cuts, heats or removes prostate tissue to open the blocked urethra. While current surgical options can be very effective in relieving symptoms, they can also leave patients with permanent side effects such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and retrograde ejaculation.

About the UroLift® System

The FDA-cleared UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a minimally invasive transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. Clinical data from a pivotal 206-patient randomized controlled study showed that patients with enlarged prostate receiving UroLift implants reported rapid and durable symptomatic and urinary flow rate improvement without compromising sexual function*1,2. Patients also experienced a significant improvement in quality of life. Over 100,000 men have been treated with the UroLift System in the U.S. Most common adverse events reported include hematuria, dysuria, micturition urgency, pelvic pain, and urge incontinence. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within two to four weeks after the procedure. The Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines. The UroLift System is available in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. Learn more at http://www.UroLift.com.

About NeoTract | Teleflex Interventional Urology

A wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated, the Interventional Urology Business Unit is dedicated to developing innovative, minimally invasive and clinically effective devices that address unmet needs in the field of urology. Our initial focus is on improving the standard of care for patients with BPH using the UroLift System, a minimally invasive permanent implant system that treats symptoms while preserving normal sexual function*1,2. Learn more at http://www.NeoTract.com.

About Teleflex Incorporated

Teleflex is a global provider of medical technologies designed to improve the health and quality of people’s lives. We apply purpose driven innovation – a relentless pursuit of identifying unmet clinical needs – to benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our portfolio is diverse, with solutions in the fields of vascular and interventional access, surgical, anesthesia, cardiac care, urology, emergency medicine and respiratory care. Teleflex employees worldwide are united in the understanding that what we do every day makes a difference. For more information, please visit http://www.teleflex.com.

Teleflex is the home of Arrow®, Deknatel®, Hudson RCI®, LMA®, Pilling®, Rusch®, UroLift® and Weck® – trusted brands united by a common sense of purpose

For Teleflex Incorporated: Jake Elguicze, 610.948.2836
Treasurer and Vice President, Investor Relations

Media:
Nicole Osmer, 650.454.0504
nicole@healthandcommerce.com

*No instances of new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction
1. Roehrborn, J Urology 2013 LIFT Study
2. McVary, J Sex Med 2016

MAC00968-01 Rev A

 

SOURCE NeoTract Teleflex

Author, Gold Star Sister, and President of a National Veteran Service Organization Launches Podcast Focused on Inspiring Stories of Resilience

DOYLESTOWN, Pa., Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Resilience, according to Manion, is all about «struggling well.» Conversations will focus on how the principle of struggling well relates to current events, the Travis Manion Foundation mission of empowering veterans and families of fallen heroes to serve, as well as personal trials guests have overcome. With all guests, Ryan’s goal will be to focus on sharing lessons that listeners can use to face adversity more effectively, while turning challenges…

DOYLESTOWN, Pa., Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Resilience, according to Manion, is all about «struggling well.» Conversations will focus on how the principle of struggling well relates to current events, the Travis Manion Foundation mission of empowering veterans and families of fallen heroes to serve, as well as personal trials guests have overcome. With all guests, Ryan’s goal will be to focus on sharing lessons that listeners can use to face adversity more effectively, while turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

The show will feature an array of guests, and the inaugural episode will launch on Tuesday, August 4th, with Ryan interviewing Chairman of the Board and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, Alex Gorsky.

«In the years since the loss of my brother Travis, I’ve learned that my life need not be defined by a tragic event, but it can be inspired by it,» said Ryan Manion. «My hope is that listeners will join us on this journey with some amazing guests, as we explore how to struggle well through life’s inevitable challenges.»

The Resilient Life Podcast will be available on all major podcast streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, Radio.com, and more, as well as a video version that will be available on YouTube. Listeners can subscribe to the podcast at http://www.ryanmanion.com/podcasts or subscribe to watch on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/TravismanionOrg

About Ryan Manion
Ryan Manion is a wife, a mom, the President of Travis Manion Foundation, and the daughter of a retired Marine. Her brother, 1stLt Travis Manion, was killed in Iraq in 2007, and she lost her mother to breast cancer in 2012. Ryan also co-authored the book «The Knock at the Door» which tells the story of three women, bonded by grief and purpose, who turned loss into inspiration for others by channeling their grief through service. She has learned that responding to struggle well can not only help determine the course of your life; it can inspire others to change the course of theirs. Learn more about Ryan Manion here.

About Travis Manion Foundation
Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) unites communities to strengthen America’s national character by empowering veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop and lead future generations. In 2007, 1st Lt. Travis Manion (USMC) was killed in Iraq while saving his wounded teammates. Today, Travis’ legacy lives on in the words he spoke before leaving for his final deployment, «If Not Me, Then Who…» Guided by this mantra, veterans continue their service, develop strong relationships with their communities, and thrive in their post-military lives by serving as character role models to youth. As a result, communities prosper and the character of our nation’s heroes lives on in the next generation.

The story of 1st Lt. Travis Manion and his Naval Academy brother Lt. (SEAL) Brendan Looney have been publicized in the book Brothers Forever, and additional information about the Foundation can be found at http://www.travismanion.org.

For interview opportunities or additional information, please contact:
Derrick Morgan, Sr. Director of Marketing Derrick@travismanion.org (215) 622-2225

 

SOURCE The Resilient Life hosted by Ryan Manion

ClubsHELP Launches 100-Hole Challenge – National Movement Helps Golf Clubs Raise Money for Local Charities

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — It’s a fund raiser, it’s a marathon, it’s a way to give back to local communities – all through the sport of golf. The 2020 ClubsHELP 100-Hole Challenge was announced this week as a vehicle to raise funds for local charities…

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — It’s a fund raiser, it’s a marathon, it’s a way to give back to local communities – all through the sport of golf. The 2020 ClubsHELP 100-Hole Challenge was announced this week as a vehicle to raise funds for local charities nationwide.

«With so many charity golf events being canceled this year due to social distancing and non-member play voiding large tournaments, we needed to create an event that adheres to social distancing protocols,» said Michael McCarthy, CEO of Addison Reserve Country Club and Chairman of the ClubsHELP 100-Hole Challenge. «Members and corporate sponsors can support players who are responsibly playing in these events.»

The main benefit of the 2020 ClubsHELP 100-Hole Challenge is that clubs across the country can pledge support for favored local charities.

How does this event work?

Amateur golfers, including club staff or teams from local charities (typically in groups of 2 or 3), play 100 holes of golf from sun-up to sundown raising money for select local charities. Pledges are received from friends, members, family and local businesses, with 90% of funds raised donated to the club’s designated local charity and the remaining 10% to ClubsHELP. Teams may represent the club, a corporation, or a charity, allowing tremendous flexibility to raise funds for multiple causes.

Member clubs receive promotional support from ClubsHELP national headquarters, including an app for receiving pledges, national leaderboard, and marketing tool kit.

The 100-Hole Challenges will run from now through October 31, 2020.

With support of the golf legends Ernie Els and Jack Nicklaus, plus the backing of the Club Managers Association of America and National Club Association, ClubsHELP has grown from a single club in March 2020 to a network of nearly 400 clubs supporting hospitals, food banks, emergency services responders, and nursing homes in their communities. Through this collective energy and support of golf and club members across the country, resources are being deployed where they are needed most—at the local level.

The 100-Hole Challenge is the ultimate demonstration of community support – and that’s the essence of ClubsHELP, a 501(c)3 foundation.

To enroll a club in ClubsHELP access the web site at http://www.clubshelp.org. To learn more about the 100-Hole Challenge, go to http://www.clubshelp.org/100holes/.

 

SOURCE ClubsHELP

Reallusion Releases Character Creator 3.3 and SkinGen – The New Industry Standard in Digital Human Design

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Reallusion is devoted to the digital human design pipeline and now adds another link in the chain of tools to design the ultimate digital human. Character Creator 3.3 features new realism tools that work with the already released Digital Human Shader and the Headshot plugin for rapid digital double creation for a total solution. Accompanying the release of Character Creator 3.3, the digital human workflow evolves with

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Reallusion is devoted to the digital human design pipeline and now adds another link in the chain of tools to design the ultimate digital human. Character Creator 3.3 features new realism tools that work with the already released Digital Human Shader and the Headshot plugin for rapid digital double creation for a total solution. Accompanying the release of Character Creator 3.3, the digital human workflow evolves with SkinGen – an intuitive, dynamic skin layer system, and CC 3 Base+, a greatly enhanced character topology for overall visual upgrades.

«SkinGen is a major breakthrough in the digital human workflow that introduces an ultra-realistic dynamic material system dedicated to human skin synthesis. » said John Martin, VP, Product Marketing, Reallusion. «The tools inside SkinGen are also empowered by the combination of industry leading partners like Texturing XYZ and Substance. SkinGen makes it possible for anyone to create a character with custom looks for age or appearance, and ultra-fine details down to the pores.

«Texturing.XYZ and Character Creator 3 is a dynamic combination for creating real-time digital humans. The partnership with Reallusion and Texturing.XYZ enables a pipeline to rapidly design detailed characters ready for animation.» – Jeremy Celeste, CEO, Texturing.XYZ

New CC3+ Character Base

Designing the best real-time Digital Human character is one of the core values of Character Creator 3. CC3 Base+ improves character mesh, UV, and skeletal rig; fulfilling the requirements of detailed sculpting and realistic animation.

  • Topology & Mesh Enhancement: evenly-distributed quad surface and perfect edge-loops for smooth facial expressions and body animations.
  • UV Optimization: Head UV includes neck area. High details for hand, nose, lips, and UDIM layout optimized for ZBrush, Substance Painter pipeline.
  • Upgraded Skinning & Rigging: Supports both A-pose & T-pose, enhances skin-weights.

SkinGen – Intuitive Skin and Makeup Design

Basic SkinGen features are included as a free update in CC 3.3. Along with embedded sample Skins and Makeup assets, all users are able to enjoy the layer stack and rich slider adjustments. The new character base (CC3 Base+) is required to present the quality for SkinGen. All existing characters can be easily converted into CC3 Base+, and a Batch Converter is also provided in the CC3.3 release.

Free SkinGen features includes:

  • Content Manager

Browse and manage skin and makeup content, drag-and-drop assets to the SkinGen layer editor for
compositing effects.

  • Layer Editing

Show/hide, opacity level, layer order, merge, flatten, and blend modes (normal, multiply, overlay, soft-light)

  • Dynamic Material Editing

Adjustable skin effects on each layer, change material attributes for color, transformation, tiling and distribution, etc.

  • Up to 4K real-time editing for each body material

What’s Included in the Digital Human Design Solution

Structural Skin and Makeup Assets
Following the natural layered skin dynamics, the Realistic Human Skin library starts from the muscle layer, and then Skin Details, Blemish on-top, and Acquired Elements like tattoos, finally determine Body Hair on the outermost surface. The simplified layer structure corresponds to real skin and properties to achieve a targeted result.

Realistic Human Skin – Detail Every Aspect of Digital Human
Realistic Human Skin is made of 270 dynamic materials for skin, hair, nail, tattoo, and blemishes; all magically blended with authentic 3D scan-based elements. Create a wide array of skin ages and appearance options with unmatched flexibility and production quality.

Makeup and SFX – From Daily Look to Hollywood SFX

The Makeup and SFX is a complete layer based editing environment to build custom makeup looks and Special FX. 280 makeup varieties go from the everyday casual looks to glamorous styles, and on to creative looks like reptile scales, sci-fi cyberpunk, tattoos, or battle-scarred fighter and beyond.

SkinGen Premium plug-in
The SkinGen Premium plugin unlocks texture import capability, and extends the 15 layer editing limit. The 21 dynamic material tools provide full control over every skin & makeup detail for customized skin effects, and the UV Converter helps you directly bring in DAZ textures for Character Creator 3 characters.

Ultimate Morphs – Authentic Human Morphs CC3 Base+

With more than 480 morphs from head to toe designed for the superior new CC3+ topology, Ultimate Morphs adds another 12 authentic human shapes delivering a balanced mixture of body scale, age, gender and ethnicities.

The Best Package Under $500 for Users to Get Started

Special entry offer valid until August 31, 2020

The Ultimate Digital Human Creation Bundle gives you an all-in-one solution to create stunningly hyper realistic characters in no time. With brand new CC3+ Characters, Morphs, SkinGen Skin & Makeup assets, along with the full-featured SkinGen Premium plugins, you can easily level-up your studio projects to rival AAA visuals.

xclusive bonus for this bundle: Human Anatomy Set
12 ultra-value and highly-detailed avatars are introduced to present the visual standard of CC3+ characters. The perfect starting point to any animated character project.

Price information:

New to Character Creator:
https://www.reallusion.com/store/product.html?l=1&p=cc#ultimate-digital-human

For Character Creator users – Ultimate Digital Human 4-in-1 Bundle
https://www.reallusion.com/character-creator/digital-human-skin-morph.html

Learn more about Character Creator 3.3 : https://www.reallusion.com/character-creator/

Learn more about SkinGen: https://www.reallusion.com/character-creator/skingen.html

About Reallusion
Reallusion Inc., a 2D and 3D character generation and animation tools company that specializes in real time cinematic animation, virtual production, and motion capture tools. Reallusion is a platform to connect professional animation technologies, industry partners, and content developers for character creation, motion capture and digital human solutions that balance quick production with quality results.

 

SOURCE Reallusion Inc.