Direct Relief International, in partnership with FedEx, is helping California's safety-net clinic system prepare for natural or medical disasters through a statewide telemedicine videoconferencing system with the California Primary Care Association (CPCA).

The CPCA will use the system to develop statewide emergency video conferencing preparedness communications utilizing CPCA regional clinic groups as points of access. This will allow clinics and health centers throughout the state to support their colleagues in the event of a disaster.

This network will be an essential component of the clinic systems' response to natural disasters in the state, or in the event of an epidemic disease outbreak.

"California's safety-net clinic system is the backbone of care for millions of medically underserved people throughout the state. Adding this telemedicine network will ensure that, should disaster strike, they will be able to efficiently coordinate statewide resources on the problem," said Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief President and CEO.

Points of access for the telemedicine network will include CPCA headquarters in Sacramento, the Council of Community Clinics in San Diego, the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County in Los Angeles, and Northern Sierra Rural Health Network in Nevada City.

Direct Relief's grant to CPCA was made possible through the generosity of corporate partner FedEx, who donated the funds to bolster disaster preparedness in California. FedEx also provides Direct Relief with significant assistance through donated shipping and logistical services for its programmatic activities worldwide.

"No one can predict what emergency services they may need along life's journey, so the best we can do is prepare for the unexpected," said Rose Flenorl, Manager of Social Responsibility and Ethnic Outreach at FedEx. "FedEx is pleased to support the outstanding work of Direct Relief International in enhancing disaster preparedness."

Along with the hardware and software necessary to support the telemedicine network, Direct Relief will also be funding a videoconference network consultant to assist with setup and maintenance, as well as the monthly cost of the T1 data lines.

The emergency telemedicine project is part of Direct Relief's larger commitment to healthcare in its home state of California. Through its Safety-Net Clinic Program, Direct Relief has supported 80 free and community clinics in California serving low-income, often working-poor communities, with $15.2 million (wholesale) of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.

About the California Primary Care Association
CPCA represents more than 600 nonprofit community clinics and health centers that provide comprehensive, quality health care services, particularly for low-income, uninsured and underserved Californians, who might otherwise not have access to health care. CPCA's diverse membership includes community and free clinics, federally funded and federally designated clinics, rural and urban clinics, large and small clinic corporations, and clinics dedicated to special needs and special populations.

About Direct Relief International

Founded in 1948, Direct Relief International is a Santa Barbara, CA-based non-profit organization focused on improving the quality of life by bringing critically-needed medicines and supplies to local healthcare providers worldwide. Direct Relief distributed over $200 million in direct aid through medical material assistance and targeted cash grants to more than 300 healthcare facilities and organizations in 56 countries, serving 23.8 million people. Forbes magazine recognized Direct Relief for the fifth consecutive year as one of only eight non-profit organizations in the United States that is 100 percent efficient in fundraising.

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 $33 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brands. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 275,000 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 http://www.fedex.com.

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