- June 5, 2008 - Baxter recently played a leading role in World Environment Day sponsored by the United Nations, committed more than $1 million for disaster relief in China and Myanmar, and donated products to treat victims of violence in Kenya. The Baxter International Foundation approved 14 grants in the first quarter of 2008 to support programs that expand access to healthcare worldwide. Baxter subsidiaries in Canada and Australia were recognized for their sustainability initiatives. And, Ron Meissen, senior director of Environment, Health and Safety for Baxter, won a major award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Baxter Participates in World Environment Day

On June 5, countries around the world celebrated World Environment Day, one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations Environmental Programme seeks to stimulate worldwide awareness of environmental issues. The North American celebration of World Environment Day took place at the Chicago Botanical Garden, where local, national and international environmental, business and political leaders participated in an international climate change forum, discussing actions and policies to combat climate change. Arthur Gibson, vice president, Environment, Health and Safety for Baxter participated in a panel discussion on "Reducing CO2: Energy and Healthcare Actions for Saving our Planet." Baxter also was one of three Platinum Sponsors of the event.

Baxter Commits More Than $1 Million in Disaster Relief for China and Myanmar

Baxter and The Baxter International Foundation have committed more than $1 million in product donations and financial aid for victims of recent natural disasters in China and Myanmar.

In China, Baxter committed approximately $630,000 in intravenous (IV) solutions and renal and nutrition products for donation to the ministry of health and local hospitals to treat victims of a May 12 earthquake. The company also made a contribution to international disaster relief partner AmeriCares, and the Foundation approved a $350,000 contribution to be shared by the Red Cross Society of China and Project Hope, a global disaster relief agency. Baxter employees in China have volunteered their time to local hospitals and participated in blood drives for earthquake victims. In addition, Baxter established The Baxter International Foundation Employee Disaster Relief Fund to benefit the Red Cross Society of China, in which the Foundation will match employee donations one-for-one.

The fund was similarly established for Myanmar relief benefiting CARE, a global humanitarian organization. The Foundation also approved a $150,000 contribution to CARE for aid in Myanmar. Additionally, Baxter India is working with AmeriCares to supply hundreds of thousands of IV solutions to the hardest hit regions.

Responding to Victims of Violence in Kenya

In the first quarter of this year, Baxter's Medication Delivery business responded to requests for products to provide emergency healthcare to victims of violence and those displaced as a result of disputed elections in Kenya. Products were donated to AmeriCares and Direct Relief International, Baxter's two main international disaster relief and humanitarian aid partners. Clinics and mobile units were activated within relief camps and door-to-door within local towns to treat people with injuries, infections and other medical conditions stemming from the violence. Baxter products included a range of intravenous (IV) solutions, IV antibiotics and other IV drugs.

Foundation Grants Increase Access to Healthcare

The Baxter International Foundation approved 14 grants totaling more than $600,000 in the first quarter of 2008 to help fund programs that expand access to much-needed healthcare around the world. These programs range from mental health services and programs for children with developmental disabilities, to support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, to an array of healthcare services for low-income and uninsured individuals. Recipient organizations include:

• Hope House in Foxford, County Mayo, Ireland, to expand and improve substance abuse counseling services;
  
• Medicos del Mundo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to train 60 health promoters in 16 Buenos Aires neighborhoods;
  
• YWCA of Vancouver, Canada, to support a senior child-care supervisor to increase access to healthcare services by special needs children and their families;
  
• Dubnoff Center in Los Angeles, California, to support the expansion of a therapeutic visual and performing arts program for children with serious emotional and developmental disabilities.

Baxter Canada Recognized for Environmental Responsibility Sustainability

On May 28, Baxter Canada's commitment to sustainability was recognized with the acceptance of the Platinum Award at the 2008 Building Common Ground conference in Burlington, Ontario. The conference, presented by St. Michael's Hospital (Toronto), Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph's Healthcare (Hamilton), carried the theme "Stewardship Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow." The focus was on innovative ways for suppliers and hospitals to work together to develop and promote environmental stewardship and sustainability in the healthcare system. Baxter Canada showcased its leadership in sustainability reporting as well as highlights in water and energy reduction, carbon footprint reduction and community stewardship.

Baxter's Australian Manufacturing Facility Wins Award for Water Management

Baxter's manufacturing facility in Toongabbie, Australia, near Sydney, recently won a Western Sydney Industry Award of Excellence in Business Practices for its work in water conservation and management. The Toongabbie plant reduced its water consumption by more than 7 percent in 2007, and plans to continue to reduce consumption through employee awareness, education and other water-saving initiatives.

Baxter's Ron Meissen Wins EPA Award

Ron Meissen, Ph.D., senior director of sustainability within Baxter's Environment, Health and Safety group, received the 2008 Spirit of the Summit Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for his leadership in advancing awareness and action in response to global climate change. Meissen received the award at the EPA's National Environmental Partnership Summit held May 19-22 in Baltimore, Maryland. A champion for action on global warming and climate change for more than 20 years, Meissen has played a leading role in establishing Baxter's greenhouse gas reduction program and goals, and was instrumental in Baxter becoming one of 13 founding members of the Chicago Climate Exchange. His leadership also has contributed to Baxter's strategies to respond to climate change and other emerging global sustainability issues.

About Baxter

Baxter's commitment to sustainability spans three decades. The company is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and has been recognized by Innovest Strategic Value Advisors as one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World, by Corporate Responsibility Officer magazine as one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens in the United States and by Ethisphere magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. Baxter is a member of the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College, the Business Environmental Leadership Council of the Pew Center on Global Climate Exchange, the Chicago Climate Exchange, the U.S. EPA's Climate Leaders, the Ethics & Compliance Officer Association and Hospitals for a Healthy Environment. Baxter endorses the Ceres principles and is an organizational stakeholder of the Global Reporting Initiative. To learn more about Baxter's sustainability initiatives, please visit www.baxter.com/sustainability.

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), through its subsidiaries, assists healthcare professionals and their patients with the treatment of complex medical conditions, including hemophilia, immune disorders, cancer, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma and other conditions. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.

Baxter International Inc.

Baxter International Inc.

At Baxter, sustainability means creating lasting social, environmental and economic value by addressing the needs of the company’s wide-ranging stakeholder base. The company's sustainability efforts support Baxter's mission to apply innovative science in the development of products and therapies that save and sustain patients' lives.

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