Allergan Launches New Philanthropic Program Benefitting Kids with Upper Limb Spasticity

During the month of February, every Botox Cosmetic treatment recorded in Brilliant Distinctions will help Allergan contribute up to a total of $500,000 to Foundations that help children across the country.

Allergan is launching the Be The Difference philanthropic program to support children and their families who may benefit from treatment with Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) for pediatric upper limb spasticity.

Botox is approved to treat increased muscle stiffness in children 2 to 17 years of age with upper limb spasticity

During the month of February, every Botox Cosmetic treatment recorded in Brilliant Distinctions, Allergan's loyalty reward program, will help Allergan contribute up to a total of $500,000 to Foundations that help children across the country. Be The Difference will also allow loyal aesthetic patients with an opportunity to support an organization in their area. Patients can choose to further their contributions to the campaign by donating their Brilliant Distinctions points.

"Many people are familiar with the uses for Botox Cosmetic, however most are not familiar with all the therapeutic uses of Botox, particularly for children suffering with upper limb spasticity. Through the Be the Difference program, consumers who get treatment with Botox Cosmetic will support Foundations that help children," says Carrie Strom, Senior Vice President, Allergan US Medical Aesthetics, in a news release. "Botox and Botox Cosmetic have 14 total indications in the U.S. – three aesthetic indications for Botox Cosmetic and 11 indications for therapeutic treatment with Botox. We are proud of how many ways these products and our research can help people."

Participating Foundations that help children include:

• Children's Hospital of Orange County (Orange, Calif.)
• Children's Specialized Hospital (New Brunswick, N.J.)
• Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (Cincinnati)
• Dell Children's Medical Center (Austin, Texas)
• Nicklaus Children's Hospital (Miami)
• Rady Children's Hospital (San Diego)
• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (Chicago)
• UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals (Oakland, Calif.)

"As a cosmetic surgeon, I have been treating my patients with Botox Cosmetic for more than 17 years in my practice, however, I am also a father of two children who suffer from severe upper limb spasticity due to cerebral palsy and have seen firsthand the benefits of Botox used for a therapeutic indication. My aesthetic patients are surprised to learn that Botox is approved for children with upper limb spasticity," adds Dr. Joseph Niamtu III, DMD, a cosmetic facial surgeon in Midlothian, Virginia. "Staying informed about the resources available and connected to the healthcare organizations treating pediatric upper limb spasticity has been crucial in determining the right treatment course for my boys. I applaud the Be The Difference program as it will help these Foundations that are so crucial in helping parents provide their children with the care they need."