Device manufacturers Medtronic and Abbott have pledged millions to help Japan after a 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami Friday killed thousands.
Medtronic Inc. of Fridley, Minn. pledged $1 million in direct grants to organizations aiding relief efforts, employee matching grants and product donations.
Abbott Laboratories of Abbott Park, Ill. said it will provide $3 million to the Japanese Red Cross and the charity AmeriCares through its philanthropic wing, the Abbott Fund.
Japan is a large market for U.S. medical device companies, and accounts for nearly 8 percent of the revenues of top device companies, according to Deutsche Bank.
Want to help? Relief agencies say what they most need right now is cash. An easy way to make a donation to groups delivering aid on the ground is to text the words "Japan" or "Quake" to 80888 to donate $10 to the Salvation Army. Or text "RedCross" to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross, which is working with its Japanese counterpart to help survivors.
