DEERFIELD, Ill., October 16, 2006  This week, Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) celebrates the 75th anniversary of its founding with a number of activities to commemorate the company's legacy of innovation and leadership in healthcare.

"Since 1931 Baxter has been advancing the boundaries of healthcare through the innovative application of science and technology," said Robert L. Parkinson, Jr., Baxter's chairman and chief executive officer. "Today, as we celebrate Baxter's 75th anniversary, our 47,000 employees continue to be connected by one purpose: saving and sustaining the lives of patients worldwide."

In recognition of the company's 75 years of saving and sustaining lives, Baxter announced today its commitment to complete 156,000 hours of employee volunteerism  the equivalent of 40 hours of volunteer work per week for each of the past 75 years. The effort is part of the company's new

global service project designed to engage Baxter employees and communities in joint efforts to identify and create employee volunteer opportunities that will positively impact a community need, and inspire greater employee
participation at all global locations over the upcoming anniversary year. Participating employees may receive paid time off to volunteer as individuals or teams to address a community issue identified and approved by their local Baxter facility. Volunteer hours will be tracked through the company's internal volunteerism web site beginning October 19, 2006 and ending on October 19, 2007.

Also as part of its 75th anniversary celebration, Parkinson and other Baxter executives will ring The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Closing Bell at 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on October 20, 2006. A live webcast of The Closing Bell ceremony will be available on the NYSE web site at www.nyse.com beginning at 3:55 p.m. EDT that day.
Baxter will also unveil an eight-minute 75th anniversary video: Making a World of Difference for 75 Years, featuring interviews with Baxter employees, customers and patients. The video will provide an overview of Baxter's history of saving and sustaining lives around the world, and a glimpse at the company's future plans for continued success. The video may be viewed from
Baxter's web site at www.baxter.com beginning October 19, 2006.

Baxter's History of Innovation and Leadership in Healthcare

Since Baxter's founding on October 19, 1931, the company has built a legacy of innovation within the healthcare industry, including:
The first commercially manufactured IV solutions;

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