BD Announces Tsunami Relief Efforts

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a global medical technology company, announced today that it is donating $250,000 in support of relief efforts to assist the victims of the tsunami and earthquake in Southeast Asia. The

financial donation will be split equally between the American Red Cross and

the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. BD will also match donations to those organizations

from employees around the world, up to $250,000. BD associates worldwide have

already made individual contributions to many relief organizations, and the

corporate match will encourage further generosity.

Additionally, BD announced that it has authorized immediate product

donations of up to $1 million of medical equipment, including needles and

syringes, through two leading charitable organizations, Direct Relief

International and AmeriCares.

The financial assistance and product contributions are in addition to the

many efforts taking place at BD locations around the world, including offices

in India, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and Thailand.  Regional and country

managers are working with local relief organizations and governments to

provide cash, product and other needed supplies.

 "On behalf of BD's 25,000 employees around the world, I'd like to express

our condolences and deepest sympathy to those impacted by this unimaginable

tragedy," stated Edward J. Ludwig, BD chairman, president and chief executive

officer.  "We're committed to working with our partners to do what we can to

provide relief to this devastated region."

Source: BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)