Healthcare Companies Contribute Donations, Supplies to Relief Effort

As the magnitude of destruction and suffering continues to rise, private industries have attempted to meet the challenge by lending their support to hurricane victims and care providers.

Healthcare manufacturers and vendors in particular have been reaching out to offer needed funds, supplies, and equipment. Heres how some of them have responded:

-- 3M and 3M foundation have announced an initial contribution of $1.5 million to support relief efforts. This contribution includes a $500,000 grant to match employee contributions to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. 3M also plans to donate $1 million in products needed by relief organizations, including medical, safety, and cleaning products, as well as insect repellant and packaging supplies. Additionally, 3M has increased production efforts to meet increased demand for government-certified respirators.

-- BD announced a donation of $500,000 to support relief efforts, which will be split equally between the American Red Cross and the United Way Hurricane Response Fund.

-- DuPont announced that it will donate $1 million to agencies supporting relief efforts in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. DuPont also is prepared to donate products used for disaster relief, recovery, and rebuilding, such as personal protection products, disinfectant wipes, and food and beverages.

-- Ecolab Inc. announced that it is working with charitable organizations to distribute cleaning and sanitizing products to affected areas. The company also announced a matching gift campaign for employee contributions in which up to $100,000 in donations to the American Red Cross will be matched. Ecolab also offered to make its 50,000 square foot distribution center in Garland, Texas available for the distribution of supplies. Ecolab disease prevention experts are also available to assist relief organizations.

-- The Hospira Foundation announced a contribution of $250,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The Foundation also plans to match Hospira employees contributions up to $50,000. Hospira will also donate medical products through its established relationships with relief organizations.

-- Johnson & Johnson announced an initial cash contribution of $5 million to a variety of relief and charitable organizations to address immediate and long-term relief needs. Johnson & Johnson has also donated $250,000 worth of disaster relief products to MAP International, a relief agency working closely with the American Red Cross. Additionally, the company plans to match employee and retiree donations to the American Red Cross.

-- Kimberly-Clark Corporation announced a cash contribution of $250,000 and product donations worth nearly $350,000 to support relief efforts.

-- Medline Industries Inc. announced a donation of $100,000 to the American Red Cross and has set up a $100,000 relief fund through the Medline Foundation for aid to its employees and their families. Medline has also sent medical supplies to affected areas.

-- STERIS Corporation announced an initial cash donation of an undisclosed amount to support recovery efforts, and is shipping infection control products to area hospitals in need. STERIS has also established a disaster fund to match employee contributions to the relief efforts.