Press Release
Heart to Heart, FedEx Set to Deliver First Private Airlift to China
Heart to Heart International Inc. and FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), will deliver the first private airlift of relief supplies to China following a massive earthquake in Sichuan Province. A FedEx MD-11 cargo plane carrying nearly 70 tons of humanitarian aid will depart Kansas City today at 2:20 p.m. (CDT). The cargo is valued at approximately $1.5 million (U.S. wholesale).
Thanks to FedEx and its donation of transportation and logistics services, Kansas City-based humanitarian organization, Heart to Heart will be able to help millions of people over the next several months throughout Sichuan Province, the area hit hard by a magnitude-7.9 earthquake on May 12. Heart to Heart has been working in this part of China for more than a decade, managing year-round health and emergency initiatives from its base of operations in the Sichuan capital of Chengdu. Because of the organization's location and history in Sichuan, Heart to Heart was able to start helping survivors of the quake only hours after it struck near Chengdu.
"Shortly after the quake hit, our staff in Chengdu mobilized quickly and were onsite helping survivors of this terrible tragedy," said Jon D. North, Heart to Heart's CEO. "Today's airlift is going to make a significant impact on our efforts to reduce suffering and we're privileged to be working on this initiative with our partners at FedEx, who helped us start our humanitarian operations in China with a medical airlift to Chengdu in 1997."
The load consists of requested antibiotics, pain relievers, children's medications, IV solutions, first-aid supplies, diagnostic instruments, surgical items, orthopedic equipment, and such basic necessities as tarps, blankets and personal-hygiene kits.
"FedEx has found a way to proactively leverage our core competencies with Heart to Heart and take disaster relief to a new level. This relief mission is one example of our cooperation together, which started in 1995 and has grown into a longstanding relationship," said Steve Cox, managing director of Global Program Management for FedEx. "Today, FedEx maintains Forward Response Centers in strategic locations globally for Heart to Heart which provides immediate relief when disasters strike anywhere in the world."
A total of 44 FedEx employees have been involved in the coordination of the flight, which will take 22 hours from start to finish including ground time. The MD-11 departs Memphis at 9:47 a.m. CDT, lands in Kansas City at 12:20 p.m., and is scheduled to depart for China at 2:20 p.m., allowing the FedEx crew on the ground 45 minutes to an hour to load the plane with the relief supplies.
Heart to Heart and FedEx share a long-time commitment to preparedness and have worked together since 1995 to deliver humanitarian aid around the world. FedEx is committed to utilizing their network to support disaster preparedness and contingency planning to pre-stage materials before a disaster strikes. Working with FedEx, Heart to Heart has established an innovative Forward Response Center network to position relief supplies in strategic locations, so the supplies can be rapidly transported to people affected by a disaster.
FedEx has helped Heart to Heart transport humanitarian aid to almost every major region of the world. Additionally, FedEx organizes the collection, sorts inventory, and provides storage, clearance and transport of relief supplies to sites affected by earthquakes, hurricanes or other natural disasters.
Today's airlift is supported by dozens of generous companies, including Abbott, BD, Cardinal Health, Hospira and Welch Allyn. Heart to Heart has received additional support for this shipment from its humanitarian partners at AmeriCares, Convoy of Hope and NCM.
About Heart to Heart
Heart to Heart International is improving global health through humanitarian initiatives that connect people and resources to a world in need. Since its founding in 1992, Heart to Heart has delivered aid worth $600 million in U.S. wholesale value to more than 100 countries, including the United States. For more information about its programs and ways to get involved, visit www.hearttoheart.org.
About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee.
About FedEx
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $37 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 290,000 employees and contractors to remain absolutely, positively focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit www.news.fedex.com.
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Friday May 23, 2008
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Saturday May 24, 2008
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Monday May 26, 2008
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