Since 1996, Direct Relief International has been privileged to receive product donations from 
BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company that manufactures and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory instruments, antibodies, reagents and diagnostic products. BD and its 27,000 associates worldwide are passionate about the Company’s corporate purpose of “Helping all people live healthy lives.”
To date, BD’s products have helped charitable healthcare providers in 87 countries provide medical services to patients in need. In 2003, BD included Direct Relief in its unique “Trusted Partners” campaign, highlighting our partnership through advertising placement in major periodicals such as Time Magazine, National Geographic, and The Economist.The campaign is ongoing and has introduced Direct Relief to new audiences (and potential donors) throughout the world.
BD and Direct Relief have assisted thousands of people affected by numerous disasters over the years, including those suffering from the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, the tsunami of December 2004, and the Pakistan earthquake of October 2005. BD’s support of Direct Relief’s Hurricane Katrina relief efforts was critical, particularly in the immediate aftermath of the storm. In response to a specific request from the United Community Health Center in Eunice, Louisiana through Direct Relief, BD rushed an emergency supply of syringes, pen needles and other essential supplies needed by people with diabetes displaced by the hurricane.
BD has also been a generous contributor of cash support through operating grants, targeted program grants and matching gifts since 2001. To date, BD has provided $4.6 million in cash and product contributions (wholesale) to Direct Relief.
In 2007, BD and Direct Relief announced a joint volunteer initiative to help strengthen healthcare in two areas of Ghana. Working side-by-side for three weeks with clinic staff from Direct Relief partners at the Maranatha Maternity Clinic and Motoka Clinic, 12 BD employee volunteers from around the globe helped build local healthcare capacity in the region.
Through training nurses and laboratory technicians, constructing a new health facility, upgrading existing laboratory capabilities and incorporating clean water solutions at existing facilities, these volunteers in Ghana bolstered the clinics' abilities to provide vitally needed services to their patients. BD was named
Visit BD's website to learn more about their philanthropic efforts.