Dear DOTmed,

On behalf of the 4,000 AHRA members across the country we would like to extend our sincere sympathy to all those who have been affected by the terrible devastation of Hurricane Katrina. As the professional association representing key members of the healthcare team, AHRA stands ready to assist in any way we can in the long recovery.

AHRA has registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help in coordinating with all aspects of radiology management. We will act as a clearinghouse for bringing together our members, vendors, and suppliers who have contacted us to offer their services and products to those who have needs.
If you would like to volunteer in some way or have radiology equipment and/or supplies that you would like to donate please email AHRA at info@ahraonline.org and provide us with your contact information and the nature of your donation.

If you have been affected by this disaster and need assistance please let us know at info@ahraonline.org .

Finally, we urge all of our members to find a way to personally help in this effort by contributing to the charity or relief agency of your choice. And of course, keep all in your thoughts and prayers.

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BAXTER SUPPORTS HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF EFFORTS
DEERFIELD, Ill., September 1, 2005 -- Baxter Healthcare Corporation, through its charitable foundation, is donating $1 million toward relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast of the United States. The Baxter International Foundation also will be matching qualifying contributions by Baxter employees on a 2 to 1 basis to aid victims of the disaster.
"Consistent with our tradition of providing support in similar circumstances around the world, we will be working with our customers, as well as appropriate government and relief agencies, to try to alleviate some of the suffering and hardship caused by this horrible disaster," said Robert L. Parkinson, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer.

Baxter has been assessing the needs of its customers, relief agencies and health authorities in the affected region and working to get them necessary supplies. The company has been in contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Homeland Security, state departments of health, AmeriCares, and the American Red Cross to determine additional need for Baxter products.

Baxter also has been working directly with the Mississippi Department of Health to coordinate the delivery to hurricane victims of Baxter products donated by the company's manufacturing plant in Cleveland, Mississippi, and other Baxter facilities throughout the country. Baxter's Cleveland plant, which employs approximately 800 people, was unaffected by the hurricane. Baxter employees in Cleveland and elsewhere also have donated food, clothing and other supplies to the relief effort, to be distributed to shelters throughout the Cleveland area.

In addition, as the largest provider of home dialysis products and services to people with end-stage kidney disease, Baxter is working to establish contact with approximately 300 in-home peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients in affected areas. Due to its extensive infrastructure of PD products and services, Baxter has been able to ensure uninterrupted therapy for many home patients displaced by the hurricane by setting up emergency shipments of supplies to alternate delivery locations for such patients.

Baxter will continue to work with appropriate agencies to monitor conditions and assess the need for additional measures and support.

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