10.18.2005 ET

(CSRwire) DEERFIELD, Ill. - The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), today announced grants to 24 organizations in nine countries totaling nearly $1.3 million to support initiatives that improve global access to quality and cost-effective healthcare. Seventeen of the 24 grants focus on improving access to healthcare for homeless and uninsured/underinsured individuals and families in disadvantaged and underserved communities throughout the world where Baxter employees live and work. These second and third quarter grants are in addition to the foundation's $1 million donation in the third quarter to relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

"As the cost of healthcare continues to rise, a growing number of people are unable to afford quality insurance coverage and receive the healthcare and support services they need," said Jim Utts, president, The Baxter International Foundation. "The organizations funded through the foundation's second- and third-quarter grants help provide very low-cost or free health services to uninsured and underinsured individuals."

Through one of these grants, the foundation partnered with Tri-City Health Center (TCHC) in Alameda County, Calif. to support the creation of a new childhood tooth decay prevention and treatment outreach program. Founded in 1970, TCHC is the only non-emergency indigent care provider in southern Alameda County and serves as a resource for the medically underserved and low-income residents in the area. Approximately 64 percent of TCHC's patients have no medical or dental insurance. The $82,000 grant will allow TCHC to conduct outreach and develop a dental treatment program for elementary schools in low-income Alameda County communities. The program will identify schools with high concentrations of low-income families and work with school administration, teachers and parents to plan and offer dental health education days to educate students on dental hygiene, provide diagnostic screenings and refer children with tooth decay to TCHC's dental clinic.

The Baxter International Foundation also partnered with Camden Eye Center (CEC) to support Project H.O.P.E. (Homeless Outreach Program Enrichment). CEC was founded in 1961 to provide high quality comprehensive eye and vision care to low and moderate income and uninsured residents of Camden city and county, as well as the surrounding southern New Jersey area. Fifty percent of Project H.O.P.E's clients are diabetic and have not received eye or vision care services for several years. The $25,000 grant will help CEC deploy its Mobile Vision Clinic, staffed with a doctor, clerk and driver to the Project H.O.P.E. clinic four times per month. Patients will receive comprehensive eye and follow-up exams and corrective glasses as needed.

Outside the United States, the foundation has partnered with Fundacion Hogar Manos Abiertas (Open Hands Home Foundation), an organization founded more than 14 years ago to care for abandoned children and adults with severe disabilities and/or terminal illnesses. Based in Costa Rica, Open Hands provides shelter, food, clothing, medicine and physical therapy in a "family-like environment" to more than 50 patients between three months and 86 years of age. The $78,000 grant will help expand the professional health services that can be offered to this population by allowing the organization to hire additional staff.

Additional organizations that received grants in the second and third quarters of 2005 include:

Centro Assistencial Cruz de Malta, to expand health, dental and malnutrition intervention services to low-income families in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

A full listing of The Baxter International Foundation grants awarded in the second and third quarters of 2005 can be found at www.baxter.com/grants.

Hurricane Katrina Update
In the weeks since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast region of the United States, Baxter Healthcare Corporation has provided more than $500,000 worth of life-saving products; more than $350,000 in employee contributions and matching funds through The Baxter International Foundation; and a $1 million donation by the foundation for general relief supplies to aid victims of the disaster. For more information on Hurricane Katrina-related relief efforts and Baxter's support in local and global communities, visit www.baxter.com/sustainability.

The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc., helps organizations expand access to healthcare in the United States and around the world. The foundation, established in 1981, began to focus exclusively on increasing access to care in 2002 - particularly for the disadvantaged and underserved in and near communities where Baxter employees live and work.

Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists healthcare professionals and their patients with the treatment of complex medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease and trauma. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives. For more information, please visit www.baxter.com.

For more information please contact:

Amy Cynkar
(847) 940-5166

For more CSR news and information from this organization:

Corporate Social Responsibility Profile for Baxter International Inc.

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