How we’re giving back to our medical communities on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis

At Pipette, we believe in the power of community and giving back, especially during these challenging times. And we see now more than ever that true heroes don’t necessarily wear capes; instead, they wear scrubs. As our incredible medical community risks their own lives to keep us healthy—and care for us when we’re not—we felt it was vital to find a way to help. This is why we expedited the development of our Hand Sanitizer, and are donating it where it’s needed most: to medical facilities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and New York state.

Over 20,000 bottles of 32 oz hand sanitizer are shipping out to medical facilities next week, including UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital (Oakland and San Francisco), Kaiser Permanente (30+ hospitals in Northern California), Alameda Hospital, Fairmont Hospital & Rehabilitation Center, Highland Hospital, John George Psychiatric Hospital, and San Leandro Hospital in the Bay Area; UCLA Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai in Southern California; and Elmhurst Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, St Francis Hospital and New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York state. In addition, we will be delivering cases of our 8 oz size hand sanitizer to organizations who support our most vulnerable populations, the homeless and home-challenged.

Our Hand Sanitizer is now available for purchase, and we are working at top speed to keep up with the demand. Made for the whole family—expecting and nursing moms included—it contains 65% alcohol to kill germs on contact then quickly evaporate away, leaving behind our sugarcane-derived squalane and hydrating glycerin to keep hands feeling soft and moisturized. It’s an important part of family hygiene, especially with today’s health crisis.

And while we all have our own personal stuff to deal with—whether homeschooling the kids, working from home, worrying about elderly parents or financial hardship—we all believe it’s important to stay feeling connected as we practice social distancing, and to give where and when we can. There are multiple ways to do this: support local food banks, shelters and clinics; check in with an elderly neighbor; call a friend who may be struggling with isolation; and remember to be kind to grocery store staff and those delivering our food—they’re also on the front lines.

Lastly, we want to give a shout-out to our other Amyris brands, starting with sister brand Biossance, who is holding a campaign to support Direct Relief, an organization that works in the US and internationally to equip doctors and nurses with lifesaving medical resources. On April 16, they will be donating 100% of their proceeds to the organization. In addition, from April 17 through May 31 customers can round up the total of their purchases and Biossance will donate the amount to Direct Relief.

And, in May, our new sweetener brand, Purecane, is launching a campaign to support Feeding America, an organization committed to serving communities and individuals facing hunger across the US. Customers can choose to round up the amount of their purchase, which will be donated to help fund drive-thru pantries, emergency food boxes and long-term support for families who are struggling as a result of Covid-19.

If there’s one thing that this pandemic is showing us, it’s that we are all truly one global community. From all of us at Pipette, we wish you a safe and healthy world.