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Genzyme Community Grants Support Access to Health and Science Education

Genzyme Community Grants Support Access to Health and Science Education

Published 01-22-08

Submitted by Genzyme Corporation

CAMBRIDGE, MA - January 22, 2008 - Genzyme Corporation today announced that it awarded nearly $150,000 in community grants and sponsorships in the fourth quarter of last year to support 12 non-profit organizations located in areas throughout the United States where Genzyme has operations. The grants are designed to further science education and access to health programs and are consistent with Genzyme's commitment to encouraging innovation in science and addressing areas of unmet medical need.

Supporting Health Education and Access to Health Insurance

Genzyme awarded a $10,000 grant to the Child Care Resource Center. Based in Cambridge, CCRC helps families navigate the often confusing process of applying for and maintaining insurance coverage. Genzyme's support of the Health Access Project gives uninsured people the tools to assess their eligibility, apply for state-sponsored health insurance and evaluate their options if they do not qualify. Health care reform in Massachusetts has increased the importance of CCRC's Health Access Project since all Massachusetts residents are now required to have health insurance. CCRC conducts extensive outreach to parents, child care providers and social service workers on health insurance and health care, and provides onsite application assistance at training workshops to help with the application process.

Genzyme awarded the Joseph M. Smith Community Health Center, Inc. (JMSCHC) a $15,000 grant to help provide low-cost, accessible health care for low-income patients. JMSCHC provides medical, dental, counseling and vision care for patients in many communities including Allston-Brighton and Waltham. JMSCHC also provides health education sessions at community locations on topics like stress oral health, nutrition and stress management.

"Genzyme supports health and wellness in our local communities through our partnerships with organizations like these," said Caren Arnstein, senior vice president, Corporate Affairs and Communications at Genzyme. "Health education and access to community health programs empowers people to take ownership of their personal well-being."

A Commitment to Science Education

Genzyme continued its ongoing support of the Science Club for Girls in Cambridge by providing a $12,000 grant to help provide free, after school hands-on science activities for girls to capture and retain their interest in science. Genzyme supports the After School Science Club that brings together kindergarten through 7th grade girls and mentor scientists for activities and projects. Genzyme also funds a junior assistant program that provides leadership and skills training to the girls and Genzyme's summer environmental internship is an important learning experience for girls to gain valuable leadership experience.

Employee-Directed Volunteer Efforts

In addition to the community grants, Genzyme awarded more than $125,000 in the fourth quarter of this year to 35 organizations globally as part of its G.I.V.E (Genzyme Invests in Volunteer Efforts) program. G.I.V.E. was created 8 years ago to encourage employee-directed volunteer efforts. During this time, Genzyme has supported more than 200 organizations through this program. The unrestricted grants range between $1,000 and $10,000, and are awarded to eligible charitable organizations for which teams of Genzyme employees volunteer. Many Genzyme employees also offer their time by serving on the boards of local non-profit companies.

Charitable organizations located in towns and cities worldwide in which Genzyme has operations are encouraged to apply for financial assistance through Genzyme Community Relations. More information about Genzyme's community investments, including how to apply for funding or request volunteers, is available on the website at www.genzyme.com/commitment/commitment_home.asp

About Genzyme

One of the world's leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme is dedicated to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with serious diseases. Since 1981, the company has grown from a small start-up to a diversified enterprise with more than 9,500 employees in locations spanning the globe and 2006 revenues of $3.2 billion. In 2007, Genzyme was chosen to receive the National Medal of Technology, the highest honor awarded by the President of the United States for technological innovation. In 2006 and 2007, Genzyme was selected by FORTUNE as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" in the United States.

With many established products and services helping patients in nearly 90 countries, Genzyme is a leader in the effort to develop and apply the most advanced technologies in the life sciences. The company's products and services are focused on rare inherited disorders, kidney disease, orthopaedics, cancer, transplant, and diagnostic testing. Genzyme's commitment to innovation continues today with a substantial development program focused on these fields, as well as immune disease, infectious disease, and other areas of unmet medical need.

Genzyme's press releases and other company information are available at www.genzyme.com and by calling Genzyme's investor information line at 1-800-905-4369 within the United States or 1-678-999-4572 outside the United States.

Genzyme Corporation logo

Genzyme Corporation

Genzyme Corporation

One of the world's leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme is dedicated to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with serious diseases. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Genzyme's founding. Since 1981, the company has grown from a small start-up to a diversified enterprise with more than 8,000 employees in locations spanning the globe and 2005 revenues of $2.7 billion. Genzyme has been selected by FORTUNE as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" in the United States. With many established products and services helping patients in more than 80 countries, Genzyme is a leader in the effort to develop and apply the most advanced technologies in the life sciences. The company's products and services are focused on rare inherited disorders, kidney disease, orthopaedics, cancer, transplant and immune diseases, and diagnostic testing. Genzyme's commitment to innovation continues today with a substantial development program focused on these fields, as well as heart disease and other areas of unmet medical need.

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