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GLENDALE
HEALTHY KIDS RECEIVES $28,000 GRANT FROM BAXTER INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
Grant Will Sponsor
a USC Mobile Clinic Visit to Glendale, July 19-26
Bringing Urgently Needed Dental Care to Underserved Children
GLENDALE, Calif.,
June 25, 2002 -- The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic
arm of Baxter International Inc., has awarded a $28,000 grant to Glendale
Healthy Kids, a community coalition that makes health care more accessible
to underserved children. The funds will sponsor a visit from the University
of Southern California (USC) School of Dentistry Mobile Clinic, July 19-26.
During that week, faculty, dental students and volunteers will serve approximately
120 uninsured children who have serious dental health needs and are from
low-income families.
The project is a partnership among Glendale schools, USC, community dentists
and businesses to leverage funds for better health care. Every dollar
spent on the project buys four dollars of dental treatment.
"Oral hygiene education and dental care are major priorities for
Glendale Healthy Kids considering oral disease interferes with healthy
growth and development," said Paul D. Bandy, executive director,
Glendale Healthy Kids. "Left untreated, oral disease can cause significant
pain, problems with eating and speaking, low self-esteem, over use of
emergency rooms and unnecessary absences from school."
In preparation for the USC Mobile Clinic visit, about 750 Glendale children
were screened in March and April by school nurses and volunteer dentists.
During the week of July 19, the USC Mobile Clinic will bring health-care
providers and equipment to the YWCA on Lexington Drive. The USC Mobile
Clinic includes a 36-foot coach and three 48-foot trailers outfitted with
dental exam chairs, X-ray equipment and other items, which will be installed
inside the YWCA. Dental students and supervising faculty will care for
patients, offering comprehensive services ranging from X-rays and cleaning
to extractions. Many volunteers, including Baxter team members, will be
on site to assist with records and patient flow.
The USC Mobile Clinic is one of the largest and busiest mobile dental
clinics in the world. In its 36-year history, the clinic has cared for
75,000 children from low-income families. It provides more than $1 million
of dental care annually at no cost to patients, and more than 90 percent
of children visiting the USC Mobile Clinic are seeing a dentist for the
first time. In 2002, the clinic will make 24 week-long visits to communities
from Northern California to the Mexico border.
"The Glendale Healthy Kids Project supports The Baxter International
Foundation's priorities in several ways. It increases access to health
care for children and improves training opportunities for health care
professionals -- all in a cost effective manner," said Patricia Morgan,
executive director, The Baxter International Foundation. "We are
proud to be part of this successful community collaboration."
Glendale Healthy Kids was created in 1994 by a coalition of hospitals,
schools and community members to provide medical, dental and mental health
services to uninsured children in Glendale area and health education to
families. The organization promotes the concept of wellness for children
and families and encourages health-care providers to become involved with
volunteer and charitable efforts in the community. Thirty-one Glendale
schools are served with various programs, including referrals for free
medical, dental and mental health treatment, dental education programs
for first graders, low-cost sports physical examinations, a dental sealant
clinic and eye exams. For information about volunteering at Glendale Healthy
Kids, call 818-548-7931.
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 2001, foundation grants totaling $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. a global health care company that, through its
subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for people with life-threatening
conditions. Baxter's bioscience, medication delivery and renal products
and services are used to treat patients with some of the most challenging
medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune deficiencies,
infectious diseases, kidney disease and trauma. Baxter employs more than
2,500 people in California at its facilities in Duarte, Glendale, Hayward,
Irvine, Los Angeles, Ontario, Thousand Oaks, Van Nuys and Westlake Village.
FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION:
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- Media Contacts:
- Tanya Tyska, Baxter, 847-948-3256
Paul Bandy, Glendale Healthy Kids, 818-548-7931
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