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HELPING
HANDS TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL FUND WITH BAXTER INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
GRANT
CLEVELAND, Miss.,
December 6, 2001 -- The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic
arm of Baxter International Inc., has provided a three-year, $22,500 grant
to Helping Hands of Cleveland, Mississippi. The agency assists low-income
people throughout Bolivar County who, due to a crisis such as a fire,
loss of a job or an illness, cannot afford their rent, utilities or other
basic necessities. The grant will enable the agency to expand its services
to include an emergency fund for medications and medical supplies, one
of its most expensive services.
Helping Hands was founded in 1990 by a group of local churches and has
become an essential safety net for many individuals and families in Bolivar
County -- one of the nation's most impoverished regions. In this largely
rural community, some local residents do not even have running water in
their homes. For many, basic health care is a luxury.
"For people with few resources, one small hardship could lead to
major disaster," said Milton Burd, president of the board of directors
for Helping Hands of Cleveland. "This emergency medication fund will
open up a whole new avenue for us to help people get through the toughest
times."
Statewide, Mississippi faces daunting health-care challenges. The state
has the highest overall cardiovascular mortality rate in the nation. The
incidence of AIDS among the state's poor, African American women is an
epidemic comparable to situations in the developing world. In addition,
the state's rural regions, like Bolivar County, suffer severe shortages
of primary and specialty health-care providers.
"The importance of readily available medications for low-income populations
cannot be overestimated, especially when it comes to chronic conditions
such as asthma, diabetes and hypertension, for which the poor and uninsured
are at greater than average risk," said Patricia Morgan, executive
director of The Baxter International Foundation. "We are pleased
to support Helping Hands as they help their community."
Helping Hands offers three programs to individuals and families in need:
a food pantry, a clothes closet and an emergency fund. An average of 300
people per month receive agency assistance. Helping Hands is staffed by
volunteers and receives broad-based community support, including rent-free
space in the Cleveland City Hall.
As the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc., The Baxter International
Foundation helps to increase access to health care in the United States
and other countries. In 2000, foundation grants totaling $4.7 million
improved access to care for children, the uninsured and the elderly, helped
prevent child abuse and neglect, promoted health education, expanded education
opportunities for health-care providers, and helped victims of global
disasters.
Baxter International Inc. is a global medical products and services company
that, through its subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for people
with life-threatening conditions. Baxter employs more than 1,000 people
at its Cleveland, Mississippi facility.
FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION:
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- Media Contacts:
- Tanya Tyska, Baxter,
(847) 948-3256
Milton Burd, Helping Hands, (662) 843-2136
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