America's Pharmaceutical Research Companies Donate $20 Million to Relief Efforts in Haiti; More Help Coming

As the need for health care assistance mounts in Haiti after last week's catastrophic earthquake, America's pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies continue to provide help. So far, more than $20 million in medicines, medical supplies and cash have been committed to relief efforts -- and that amount is still growing. The total does not include the contributions of PhRMA member company employees and the many companies committed to matching the pledges of their workers.

PhRMA President and CEO Billy Tauzin said: "The day the news broke about the tragedy in Haiti, America's biopharmaceutical companies got to work -- coordinating efforts with relief organizations and health care groups already on the ground -- making sure everything from simple antibiotic creams to critical medicines were made accessible to victims. And the more the need for medicinal aid is defined, the more our companies are providing it."

PhRMA is also involved in the Haitian effort through the Rx Response program. This program, which was developed following Hurricane Katrina, has shed light on the most effective methods to donate medical products and the most efficient ways medical professionals can volunteer for the Haiti response effort.

"The vital role of PhRMA companies and their employees in the global community is clearly defined by such catastrophic situations. It's our civic responsibility to provide health care professionals the tools they need to help save lives, and we're proud to take part in this effort, which will lead to the eventual recovery of Haiti," Tauzin said.

'Sharing Miracles' to Feature MLB Star Aaron Boone

Major League Baseball slugger Aaron Boone will be featured on January's episode of Sharing Miracles.

A member of one of only three families in history to have three generations play in the major leagues (grandfather Ray, father Bob and brother Bret all played pro baseball), Boone is best known for an eleventh-inning, game-winning home run in the seventh game of the 2003 American League Championship Series. Clinching the series for the New York Yankees over the Boston Red Sox, Boone is said to have extended the "Curse of the Bambino" by one more year. Discussing Boone's famed home run on this month's episode of Sharing Miracles are Red Sox manager Terry Francona and four-time World Series champion Darryl Strawberry.

However, despite his notoriety for the home run, Boone says the at-bat most meaningful to him is one that almost never happened - his first time at home plate following open-heart surgery.

While in college, Boone was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital heart defect that required yearly check-ups, but no treatment. "Throughout my baseball career, I got it checked on every off-season, but it frankly wasn't a huge part of my life," he says.

However, that all changed in March 2009, when his cardiologist advised additional tests and a consultation with a surgeon. The decision was sobering, with Boone being told he needed open-heart surgery to correct his defect.

After successfully undergoing the procedure, however, he focused on his recovery and rehabilitation and eventually realized that he was strong enough to consider a return to the sport: "I could see my body respond each day, each week, each month. Seeing myself improve really helped push me further and helped me do the necessary things to keep getting better."