Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) and The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter, today announced combined charitable giving of more than $80 million in 2011. The company was also recently recognized for employee inclusion and diversity development programs, initiatives to provide educational opportunities to youth in need and overall sustainability performance.

Baxter and its Foundation Contribute More Than $80 Million in 2011

In 2011, combined giving from Baxter and The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter, totaled more than $80 million. Financial contributions focused on increasing access to healthcare, helping developing nations and countries in crisis, and addressing other critical community needs globally, comprised of:

• $47 million from donations of Baxter products through donor partners and the company's U.S. patient assistance programs. Product donations helped 75 countries in need, including donation of intravenous (IV) antibiotics and other IV solutions following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan;

• $29 million from Baxter's businesses and facilities to address critical local needs in more than 42 countries. For example, after the extreme flooding in Thailand, employees created and distributed disaster survival kits with food, water and other necessities to those in need; and

• $4 million from The Baxter International Foundation, including grants to increase access to healthcare worldwide, prize programs that recognize excellence in community service and healthcare research, a scholarship program that contributes to the education of Baxter employees’ children, and support of employees' philanthropic efforts through the Foundation's Dollars for Doers and Matching Gifts programs. Grants awarded in 2011 fulfilled needs in local communities including services for children, the uninsured, veterans, and the elderly. A full listing of The Baxter International Foundation grants awarded in 2011 is available at www.baxter.com/grants.

Baxter Recognized in “Global 100” for Eight Consecutive Years

For the eighth straight year, Baxter has been recognized as one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations by Corporate Knights Inc., an independent Canadian-based media company focused on sustainable development. Baxter is the only U.S. healthcare company to have been recognized in the Global 100 each year since the list was first published. The 2012 list was announced on January 25 during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and includes the corporations that have been most proactive in managing environmental, social and governance issues, and those with capacity for innovation and ability to respond to changing competitive forces. For more information, please see www.global100.org.

Asia Pacific Region Recognized for Inclusion and Diversity Efforts

On March 2, Baxter Japan received the Unique Award at the 2012 J-Win Diversity Awards presented by the Japan Women’s Innovative Network (J-Win) for its proactive and innovative approach to the recruitment, skills development and advancement of women. Baxter received the award primarily due to its Building Talent Edge program in its Asia Pacific region. The program was established in 2005 to help achieve a 50/50 gender balance in management and executive positions across the region. Building Talent Edge combines robust recruitment and development strategies with strong communication and accountability. The percentage of females among Baxter Japan’s leadership team and directors has grown to more than 30 percent in 2011, significantly higher than the industry average.  Baxter Japan’s female mentorship program was also recognized for supporting women in overcoming career challenges. Baxter is the only foreign multinational that received a 2012 award. J-Win is the sister organization of Catalyst, the international non-profit group that promotes diversity and inclusion of women in business. In 2009, Baxter Asia Pacific received the prestigious Catalyst Award for the Building Talent Edge program.

On March 13, Baxter Australia was recognized as an Employer of Choice for Women by the Australian government’s Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency. Baxter Australia received this award primarily for its efforts in making gender diversity a strategic imperative, promoting flexible work arrangements, ensuring men and women have equal access to opportunities for developing their careers, and ensuring gender pay equity. This highly regarded award acknowledges Baxter’s commitment to attracting and retaining talented women. For more on Baxter’s inclusion and diversity efforts, please see www.sustainability.baxter.com/priorities-goals/our-people/inclusive-and-diverse-workplace.html.

Science@Work Education Initiative Participates in 2012 Summer Jobs+

As part of Summer Jobs+, a program organized by the White House Council for Community Solutions and the U.S. Department of Labor, Baxter will provide developmental and educational opportunities for 300-500 Chicago-area youth during the summer of 2012 through the company's Science@Work: Expanding Minds With Real-World Science education initiative – a multi-year commitment to support teacher training and student development in healthcare and biotechnology. Baxter will provide opportunities for career planning, interviewing skill development, job shadowing and ongoing counsel and professional support during college. Summer Jobs+ brings together businesses, non-profits, and government to provide pathways to employment for low-income and disconnected youth. For more on Science@Work, please see www.sustainability.baxter.com/priorities-goals/our-world/education.html.

About Baxter

Baxter's commitment to sustainability spans more than three decades. The company is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and has been recognized by Corporate Knights as one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World and by Corporate Responsibility magazine as one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens. Baxter is a member of the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College and the Ethics & Compliance Officer Association. Baxter endorses the Ceres principles and is an organizational stakeholder of the Global Reporting Initiative. Further information about Baxter’s sustainability activities can be found at www.sustainability.baxter.com.

Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions.  As a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide.

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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