Johnson & Johnson Provides Grant to Support Red Cross’ Medical Transportation Program

SOMERVILLE, NJ, August 19, 2008 - As the cost of daily living continues to skyrocket, there are people in Somerset County who are forced to make a decision between paying their essential bills, such as food and utilities, and paying for transportation to see a doctor. Recent news reports indicate that the need for medical transportation is booming because of an aging population that is increasingly seeking out this service.

The Greater Somerset County Chapter of the American Red Cross does not want any resident to have to make this choice. Since 1953, the chapter has been providing medical transportation to seniors, the disabled and low-income individuals.

“We started with one car back then and through generous donations we now have six vehicles, including one handicap accessible van,” stated Donna Morello, program coordinator. Donations to the local chapter help for pay seven part-time drivers who complement the more than 30 volunteers by taking the more difficult rides such as early morning and out of county trips to doctors’ offices. In addition, during disasters, many people are under additional stress and may not be able to get to a doctor, which is why the Greater Somerset County Chapter is committed to maintaining access to the program. The chapter wants to ensure that people have access to their doctors, before, during and after disaster strikes.

Recently, the Somerset County-based companies of Johnson & Johnson awarded the chapter a grant to support this program, which is critical to the chapter’s ability to meet the ever-increasing needs of county residents. “We are grateful to all the Johnson & Johnson companies that chose to fund this program,” said Amy Sutton, Executive Director of the Greater Somerset County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

“On average, we have to turn away about six people a month because we do not have the resources to meet the ever-increasing need of our residents. These companies demonstrate that they are committed to the health and well being of our residents by providing the funding that will help meet a critical need, such as getting to a doctor,” added Sutton.

The chapter gratefully acknowledges the following Johnson & Johnson organizations that made this donation possible: Cordis, ETHICON, Inc., Global Pharmaceutical Supply Group, Information Technology Services, Ortho Biotech Products, LP, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.; Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C., and Tibotec Therapeutics, division of Ortho Biotech Products, LP.

“Johnson & Johnson companies have a long standing relationship with the American Red Cross and our chapter,” says Sutton. “They fund our vital programs and services, and many of their employees serve as volunteers. We are very grateful for their support and proud to be able to work together to ensure the health and well being of the community.”

The American Red Cross Greater Somerset County chapter is a non-profit organization that helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The chapter serves the residents of Somerset County, offering disaster relief and preparedness education, armed forces services, health and safety training, medical transportation, blood services, and Lifeline personal emergency response service program. The American Red Cross of Greater Somerset County depends on donations of time, money, and blood from others to make our humanitarian work possible. For more information, call 908-725-2217 or visit american-redcross.org.