Donations from center to be used in life-saving therapies

Fond du Lac, Wis., Oct. 15, 2002 – BioLife Plasma Services, a subsidiary of Baxter Healthcare Corporation, celebrated the opening of a state-of-the-art plasma collection facility in Fond du Lac with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Fond du Lac Association of Commerce. The new facility is located at 923 Security Drive.

The center collects plasma, the liquid portion of the blood, through a process called plasmapheresis. It is from this plasma that life-saving biological products are produced by Baxter and used in therapies to treat people with hemophilia and immune deficiencies, as well as trauma and burn victims. The center opens with a staff of 27 employees, managed by Kathy Wollersheim.

Donating plasma is a very safe procedure with minimal or no side effects. The donation process requires the use of an automated machine that collects a donor’s blood and separates the plasma from the other blood components, including white and red blood cells and platelets. As the plasma is collected, these other blood components are returned to the donor. Throughout the process, the system automatically alternates between collection and replacement until the predetermined amount of plasma, based on the donor’s weight, is obtained.

BioLife’s professional medical staff is dedicated to making each donor’s visit comfortable and rewarding. Donors are monetarily reimbursed after each donation, and can spend the 1½-hour donation time studying, listening to music, reading or relaxing.

BioLife Plasma Services will play a vital role in the surrounding communities. Plasma donors not only contribute the source of life-saving plasma-based products, they also contribute to the commercial vitality of their immediate neighborhoods. The fees donors receive for their time in donating plasma may be directed by donors to support church, civic and charitable organizations as well as activities for their families.

BioLife is committed to providing the highest quality service and level of safety to the donors and the individuals who receive life-saving plasma based products. The Fond du Lac center is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for donations. Please call 920-906-9250 to make an appointment.

Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal domestic operating subsidiary of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX), a global health care company that, through its subsidiaries, provides critical therapies for people with life-threatening conditions. Baxter's bioscience, medication delivery and renal products and services are used to treat patients with some of the most challenging medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune deficiencies, infectious diseases, kidney disease and trauma.

For more information, please contact us.