Teams Earned More Than $140,000 for Summer Camp by Competing in Fun, Educational Challenges

 

Deerfield, Ill., September 29, 2006 – Baxter Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: BAX) has announced the winners of CAMP SUPERFLY II, its second-annual nationwide competition to support summer camp programs for children affected by a bleeding or clotting disorder. CAMP SUPERFLY was developed to help support summer camp programs for children affected by a bleeding or clotting disorder, while also strengthening the connection between chapters, members, and clinics. 

 

“The opportunity for children to attend camp in the bleeding and clotting disorders community is crucial to their independence and understanding of their condition,” said Debbie de la Riva, executive director of Houston's Lone Star Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF), which was also a winner in last year’s competition. “Many camp programs across the country are in dire need of funds, and it’s terrific to have a fun competition that encourages and unites the community that also provides much-needed funding to enhance our children's camp experiences.”

 

The first place team in each of three divisions won a $30,000 grant for summer camp.

The winners were:

• Climbers Division: 
  • First Place – Camp Warren Jyrch of Illinois (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Second Place – Southern California Honey Bees (Pasadena, California)
  • Third Place – Indiana Hemophilia Hornets (Indianapolis, Indiana)
• Flyers Division: 
  • First Place – Lone Star Butterflies (Houston, Texas)
  • Second Place – Iowa Yellow Jackets (Iowa City, Iowa)
  • Third Place – Northern California Green Hornets (Oakland, California)
• Explorers Division: 
  • First Place – Heartland Hornets (Omaha, Nebraska)
  • Second Place – Maryland Fireflies (Baltimore, Maryland)
  • Third Place – South Carolina Praying Mantises (Greer, South Carolina)

 

The second place team in each division received $10,000 and the third place teams each won $5,000. The other 18 teams that competed earned an honorable mention and a grant of $500.  The number of players in CAMP SUPERFLY II increased to more than 1,000 participants, up 25 percent over the 2005 program.  The total grant money distributed in 2006 was over $140,000, nearly triple the awards given in 2005.

 

“Chapters and hemophilia treatment centers were very enthusiastic about the program and we’re very pleased that so many members of the community participated in Camp SuperFly II,” said Peter O'Malley, vice president of national accounts for Baxter's BioScience business in the United States. “We're excited and proud to be providing triple the amount of grant money in this year’s competition, knowing that soon many children affected by bleeding and clotting disorders will be benefiting from enhanced summer camp experiences that dollars from this program helped make possible.”

The CAMP SUPERFLY II competition ran from April 1 to June 30 and was open to members of hemophilia chapters across the country. Chapter teams played in one of three divisions, based on the number of participants competing.  The competition awarded points for completing activities helpful to people living with a bleeding or clotting disorder, including:

• Completing educational puzzles, games and other activities;
• Participating in physical activity challenges such as participating in a new,
  safe sport;
• Keeping updated on health checks such as completing treatment logs, visiting a physician for a health exam, updating immunizations
• Attending or volunteering at a summer camp.

 

Team points were tabulated by an independent third-party that is also responsible for safeguarding patient privacy, facilitating program mailings, providing accurate scoring and call center support during the competition.

 

About Baxter

 

Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal operating subsidiary of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX). Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists healthcare professionals and their patients with treatment of complex medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease and trauma. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.