BD Establishes $1.2 Million Fund for Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts

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Jan 15, 2010, 11:29 ET

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, announced today that it is donating $550,000 in support of relief efforts to assist the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. A financial donation of $250,000 will be split equally between the American Red Cross and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. BD will distribute the remainder to AmeriCares, Catholic Medical Mission Board, Direct Relief International, Heart to Heart International, Partners in Health, Project HOPE and Save the Children.

"With the massive devastation of this earthquake, BD is committed to working with our partners to support critical relief efforts," said Edward J. Ludwig, BD Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "On behalf of BD's 29,000 associates around the world, I extend our condolences and deepest sympathies to the people of Haiti and all affected by this tragedy."

BD also announced that it has authorized product donations of up to $500,000 of medical equipment, including needles, syringes, IV catheters and blood collection tubes, through the charitable organizations listed above. The Company will also match donations from its associates worldwide to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, up to a total of $150,000. This match is in addition to BD's traditional Matching Gift Program, which matches donations from U.S. associates to eligible nonprofit organizations. BD associates have already made individual contributions to many relief organizations for Haiti, and the corporate match will encourage further generosity.

About BD

BD is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 29,000 associates in approximately 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.

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