Baxter and Its Foundation Contribute Nearly $53 Million in 2007 to Address Critical Needs Locally an...( DEERFIELD Ill. March 10 /- Baxter...)

DEERFIELD, Ill., March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Baxter International Inc. and The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter, today announced their combined 2007 charitable giving, which focused on increasing access to healthcare, helping developing nations and countries in crisis, and addressing other critical community needs. In 2007, combined giving from the company and its foundation totaled nearly $53 million, comprising:

-- $31.1 million from donations of Baxter products to developing nations

and countries in crisis;

-- $18.4 million from Baxter's businesses and facilities to address

critical local needs in 36 countries; and

-- $3.1 million from The Baxter International Foundation, including $1.9

million in worldwide grants paid, and more than $696,061 from the

foundation's Dollars for Doers and Matching Gifts programs in support

of employees' philanthropic efforts.

"As a global healthcare company we address some of the world's key sustainability challenges every day," said Robert L. Parkinson, Jr., Baxter's chairman and chief executive officer. "Increasing access to healthcare is one of our sustainability priorities. Continuing to meet critical community needs through grants that advance public health, enhanced employee wellness programs and product donations to countries in crisis are strong reflections of our continued commitment to this goal."

Product Donations Help Countries Worldwide

Baxter donated $31.1 million in vital medical products to 53 countries in 2007. Beginning in 2007, Baxter included patient assistance program donations in its overall product donation totals to align with comprehensive reporting and benchmarking data.

The majority of product donations were distributed through the international disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization AmeriCares as well as through the non-profit, non-sectarian humanitarian assista
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