Donations from center to be used in life-saving therapies

DeKalb, Ill., April 4, 2003 – BioLife Plasma Services, a subsidiary of Baxter Healthcare Corporation, celebrated the opening of a state-of-the-art plasma collection facility in DeKalb this morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. Located at 1455 County Farm Road, the DeKalb facility is BioLife’s first plasma collection center in Illinois.

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 25 employees, managed by Linda Heinisch.

During the donation process, the plasma component of whole blood is collected through the use of an automated machine that returns the unused blood components, such as red blood cells and platelets, to the donor and then infuses them with saline. Each donation procedure uses sterile and disposable collection materials. Once the donation is complete, the disposable equipment is discarded and replaced with new materials for the next donation. Donors are monetarily reimbursed for their commitment to the program, and can spend the 1½-hour donation time listening to music, reading or relaxing.

BioLife 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 commitment to the plasma donation program may be directed by donors to support church, civic and charitable organizations as well as activities for their families.

The DeKalb center is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon for donations. Please call (815) 754-5777 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 .