Fresenius Medical Care (www.fmcna.com) is the world's largest integrated provider of products and services for individuals undergoing dialysis stemming from chronic kidney failure. The employee initiative is in concert with the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Volunteers and workers associated with the company and NKF provide the dialysis equipment and treatment that replaces the function of healthy kidneys while the children are at camp.

As dialysis patients, these kids deal with huge burdens and limitations. Riding a bike is a childhood pleasure that healthy kids take for granted. The opportunity to provide this experience to young kidney patients is a moment of celebration for all of us. I am extremely proud of our employees for making it possible.

The free BMX program got its start when Fresenius Medical Care employees were participating in a company conference in Miami, FL. The employees, as part of a team-building exercise, were given the challenge of assembling bicycles, which they decided to donate to local children suffering from kidney failure. Moved by the reception they got from children and parents, the employees expanded the effort. They raised $4,000 among themselves to purchase more bikes for kidney patients at summer camps. Senior managers matched the donations to fund the purchase 27 bicycles this year.

Rice Powell, Co-CEO said, "As dialysis patients, these kids deal with huge burdens and limitations. Riding a bike is a childhood pleasure that healthy kids take for granted. The opportunity to provide this experience to young kidney patients is a moment of celebration for all of us. I am extremely proud of our employees for making it possible."

Camps receiving free bikes are: Camp Reynal, Meridian, TX; Southern California NKF, Lake Hughes, CA; Northern California NKF, La Honda, CA; Camp Independence, Rutledge, GA, and Camp Bonclarken, Flat Rock, NC.

To interview Rice Powell or to cover presentations at camps around the US, please contact Christina Rossi at: 781-699-4519. Email: christina.rossi @ fmc-na.com. Additional contact: Dick Pirozzolo 781-235-9911 cell 617-959-4613. Email: dick @ pirozzolo.com.

Fresenius Medical Care is the world's largest integrated provider of products and services for individuals undergoing dialysis because of chronic kidney failure, a condition that affects about 1,500,000 individuals worldwide. Through its network of 2,108 dialysis clinics in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, Fresenius Medical Care provides dialysis treatment to 163,517 patients around the globe. Fresenius Medical Care is also the world's leading provider of dialysis products such as hemodialysis machines, dialyzers and related disposable products. Fresenius Medical Care is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FME, FME3) and the New York Stock Exchange (FMS, FMS/P).