BUILD AWARENESS.
PREVENT WHAT COMES NEXT.
SAVE LIVES.
ABOUT STOP THE STREP
A global nonprofit helping people recognize strep throat early, seek timely care, and prevent it from becoming something far more serious.
WHO WE ARE
Every Preventable Case Matters.
Stop The Strep is a global nonprofit communications and awareness initiative dedicated to help prevent the serious complications of untreated strep throat through education, early recognition, and timely treatment.
We believe that no one should suffer lifelong health complications—or lose their life—from an illness that is preventable with prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Our role is simple: help people recognize strep, seek medical care early, and complete treatment.
OUR STORY
One Person’s Story Can Change Everything.
Russ Haan met a 24-year-old woman who had already undergone four open-heart surgeries. When he learned those surgeries were because she had untreated strep throat, he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Like many people, Russ had experienced strep throat himself. He had no idea a common infection could lead to lifelong heart disease.
Six months later, she died.
That moment changed the course of his life.
It also revealed a much larger problem.
Millions of people around the world don't know that untreated strep throat can lead to life-changing diseases such as rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
Stop The Strep was created to help medical professionals, caregivers, parents, teachers, children and policy-makers understand the connection between strep and Rheumatic Heart Disease and to close that awareness gap.
Because knowledge can save lives.
WHAT WE DO
KNOWLEDGE THAT LEADS TO ACTION.
We connect people with clear, trusted, evidence-based information that helps them recognize strep symptoms, understand why early treatment matters, and know when to seek medical care.
We also work alongside healthcare organizations, educators, governments, nonprofits, and community partners to create or provide educational resources they can adapt and use within their own awareness programs.
To help people around the world recognize and treat strep infections early—before they become serious or deadly.
By increasing awareness, improving education, and supporting existing community partners, we aim to improve lifelong health by reducing complications from untreated strep.
OUR MISSION
A world where every strep infection is recognized early, treated promptly, and never becomes rheumatic heart disease.
OUR VISION
WHY AWARENESS MATTERS
THE WORLD KNOWS HOW TO PREVENT RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE.
The challenge is that too many people don't realize a common strep infection can become something much more serious if it isn't treated.
That's why Stop The Strep exists.
We believe changing awareness changes behavior—and changing behavior saves lives.
OUR IMPACT
STOP THE STREP WORKS TO CREATE LASTING IMPACT BY:
Educating families about the signs and symptoms of strep throat
Developing practical educational resources
Equipping healthcare providers with communication materials
Promoting early diagnosis and appropriate treatment
Supporting schools and community organizations
Building partnerships with organizations working to improve child health around the world
Together, these efforts help strengthen existing public health systems and initiatives.
OUR TIMELINE
THE STOP THE STREP STORY SO FAR.
2024
Stop The Strep is formed just before New Years Eve.
Stop The Strep is approved as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Our first website and grant applications occur. It all becomes real.
2025
Stop The Strep raises $200,000+, 2 pilot programs in India begin, website is updated, resources created & shared, Board of Directors formed, mission refined.
2026
Expand from India to include Brazil, & Uganda. Add 30 new global partners, begin strep-specific pilots, begin production on documentary film.
2027
MEET OUR FOUNDER
RUSS HAAN
Russ Haan started out in biology, tried (and failed) to get into film school, then opened an ad agency.
A few hundred TV commercials, a greeting card company, and an art gallery later, he became a director of short, documentary-style films for non-profits.
That experience is what exposed him to rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and the surprising connection between RHD and strep. When he learned most of the world’s attention was focused on treating the late-stage part of the disease, but little was being done on the prevention side, he thought, “Well, why not try?”
Today, Russ and his partners work to identify practical ways Stop The Strep can support organizations already working to improve health outcomes around the world.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
TOGETHER WE CAN END RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE.
It will take more than one organization to end the complications caused by untreated strep throat.
We need healthcare providers, educators, governments, researchers, community organizations, parents, and advocates to work together.
Whether you're looking to learn, partner, share resources, or support our mission, there's a place for you in the movement.
Together, we can help ensure more people recognize strep early, receive timely treatment, and protect their health for life.
Recognize Strep. Treat Strep. Complete Treatment.
Prevent What Comes Next.