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THE CESKÉ
BUDEJOVICE CENTRE RECEIVES $15,000 GRANT FROM THE BAXTER INTERNATIONAL
FOUNDATION TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CHALLENGES
CESKÉ BUDEJOVICE,
Czech Republic, March 27, 2002 -- The Baxter International Foundation,
the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc., has awarded a $15,000
grant to the Ceské Budejovice Centre, which provides social services,
cultural and athletic activities to people with physical and mental challenges
throughout the Czech Republic. The grant will enable the center to fund
additional therapists and to improve services provided at the center.
A recession lasting three years in the late 1990s adversely affected access
to care for the country's 10.3 million people. As a result of this recession,
funding for the Ceské Budejovice Centre was negatively impacted,
as was the support it could provide to the more than 550 individuals it
serves.
"The goal of the Ceské Budejovice Centre is to integrate people
with physical and mental challenges into society and to help them reach
their full potential," said Jiri Smekal, director of The Ceské
Budejovice Centre. "With The Baxter International Foundation grant
we will be able to enhance the services we provide to children and adults
with such challenges in Ceské Budejovice, and help them to lead
active, rewarding lives."
The physical therapists at the Ceské Budejovice Centre will provide
kinetic activities for children and adults that are suitable for their
respective physical or mental challenge. The therapists also will provide
regular rehabilitative assistance in the households of its members, including
assistance with normal household operations, personal hygiene and accompaniment
to cultural events.
As a result of the center's services, many of its members have accomplished
significant cultural and athletic achievements at events both in the Czech
Republic and abroad. Several members have been awarded world championship
titles in various sports disciplines, including two silver medals at the
2000 Sydney Paralympic Games.
"The Baxter International Foundation is proud to support the Ceské
Budejovice Centre in its efforts to enhance services for those with physical
and mental challenges," said Patricia Morgan, executive director
of The Baxter International Foundation. "While their services are
helping to increase access to care for people with physical or mental
challenges, they are also providing an outlet by which their members can
participate in cultural and athletic events and expand their horizons."
The Ceské Budejovice Centre was founded in 1993 to serve people
with physical and mental challenges. Since then, the center has made great
strides in improving the quality of services they offer. The center has
provided social assistance, consultations with doctors, social and legal
aid, education, and integrated sports and cultural activities for its
members.
As the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc., The Baxter International
Foundation helps to increase access to health care worldwide. In 2001,
foundation grants totaling more than $4.8 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's products and services in the
areas of bioscience (including biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, biosurgery
products and transfusion therapies), medication delivery and renal therapy
are used by health-care providers and their patients in more than 100
countries. The company recently announced the establishment of a new state-of-the
art vaccines facility in Bohumile, Czech Republic, which when completed
is expected to employ approximately 200 scientific and technical professionals.
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