DALLAS, Texas and DECATUR, Ga (July 28, 2005) – Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) and MedShare International announced today a five-year partnership to send urgently needed medical supplies and equipment to hospitals located across Latin America.
As part of the partnership, Kimberly-Clark will donate $250,000 to sponsor MedShare’s shipments of medical supplies and equipment to hospitals in need, with a particular focus in 2005 on hospitals in El Salvador, Honduras, and Peru. Kimberly-Clark’s financial contribution will be used to help MedShare accomplish its 2005 goal of shipping 60 forty-foot containers of medical supplies and equipment.
Kimberly-Clark is a flagship corporate partner for MedShare International, and has proudly partnered with MedShare in this humanitarian program since 1999. Since then, Kimberly-Clark has contributed medical supplies and equipment, monthly employee and retiree volunteers, and financial assistance and logistical support to help with the shipping of 15 forty-foot medical containers to Latin America.
This week, Kimberly-Clark’s financial contribution enabled the shipment of a medical container from MedShare’s loading dock to a public hospital in Honduras. The medical supplies and equipment included in this shipment will be used to equip the hospital that primarily will serve children, as well as treat burn patients.
A.B. Short, MedShare International’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, said, “MedShare is pleased to be working with Kimberly-Clark Corporation to improve the delivery of healthcare in Latin America. K-C is a long-time supporter of MedShare. This initiative will give hospitals and physicians in impoverished areas the ability to save countless lives that would have otherwise been lost.”
“MedShare is an outstanding organization and K-C is proud to support this vital mission through employee volunteers and financial assistance,” said Robert Abernathy, Kimberly-Clark’s Group President for Developing and Emerging Markets. “Because of MedShare lives are being changed throughout Latin America and Kimberly-Clark is proud to serve as one of their many partners.”
About Kimberly-Clark CorporationKimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, 1.3 billion people -- nearly a quarter of the world's population -- trust K-C brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the company's 133-year history or innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com.
About MedShare InternationalMedShare International, based in Decatur, Georgia, collects and recycles surplus medical supplies and equipment for distribution to needy healthcare institutions in economically developing countries. With generous support from U.S. corporations, foundations, individuals, and civic and religious groups, MedShare sorts and donates these materials to overseas facilities by supplying medical mission teams or directly shipping forty-foot medical containers. The organization only donates supplies and equipment that are requested by recipients, ensuring that physicians and hospitals get what they need to treat patients and save lives.
Founded in 1998, the organization has provided more than $25 million worth of life-saving supplies and equipment to 87 countries. For further information on MedShare or to find out how to volunteer or make a donation, call (770) 323-5858 or visit our website at www.medshare.org.