Miracle Match for Life program donates $20,000 to cancer screening
BASF FINA, Total contribute to Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program for medically underserved citizens

BEAUMONT, Texas, July 27, 2005 -- The Miracle Match for Life program, created by the joint efforts of BASF FINA Petrochemicals and Total Petrochemicals USA Inc., presented a contribution of more than $20,000 this past weekend to the Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program. The contribution helps fund area cancer screenings for the medically underserved.

The presentation occurred during a July 23 health fair at Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont. A portion of the contribution was used during that health fair to provide free prostate cancer screenings for men and nearly 40 free mammograms and clinical breast exams for women.

“It is a privilege to be involved in a collaborative effort like Miracle Match for Life that is impacting the lives of Southeast Texans in such a meaningful way,” said Regina Rogers, Chair of the Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program. “We hope this year’s initiative will result in an even further increase in the number of donors and matches.”

The contribution is part of the proceeds from a BASF and Total Miracle Match for Life charity golf tournament held on April 8. Earlier this month, Miracle Match for Life made contributions totaling more than $40,000 to LifeShare Blood Centers and the Gulf Coast Marrow Donor Program.

In 1994, Regina Rogers established the Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program as a tribute to her mother, Julie, a breast cancer survivor. With the mission of lowering the number of deaths associated with breast and prostate cancer in Southeast Texas, the Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program is focused on educational outreach and provides free mammogram and prostate cancer screenings. It also provides individuals with limited financial means access to cancer treatment. The program serves more than 5,000 people each year.

“The Gift of Life Program has funded more than 10,000 free cancer screenings and organized hundreds of educational outreach programs,” said Mark Viator, Public Affairs Manager for BASF FINA Petrochemicals. “They serve a critical role in the community by reaching out to those who might otherwise never receive the treatment they need.”

BASF FINA Petrochemicals and Total Petrochemicals USA Inc. created the Miracle Match for Life program, in 2003. The program has raised more than $56,000 for the Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program. Under the Miracle Match for Life program, 196 women have received free mammograms and clinical breast exams and 90 men have received free prostate cancer screenings.

“Total Petrochemicals is a proud sponsor for this worthwhile program and is deeply committed to a long-term relationship with the Julie Roger's Gift of Life Program,” said Pat Avery, Administrative Manager for Total Petrochemicals.

BASF operates the BASF FINA Petrochemicals site in Port Arthur, which is the world’s largest naphtha steam cracker, turning naphtha and light hydrocarbons into ethylene, propylene, and other chemical raw materials. The cracker’s products are ultimately used in the manufacture of hundreds of consumer products.

For more information, contact:

Mark Viator
BASF
Tel: (409) 960-5201
E-mail: viatorm@basf.com

Marshall Williams
BASF
Tel: (409) 960-5206
E-mail: william5@basf.com