The EverGo Portable Concentrator Vacations with American Respiratory Alliance Cruisers to Alaska; first time by air

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - September 9, 2008

The EverGo portable oxygen concentrator will be playing an important role in the upcoming trip to Alaska of a group of oxygen users from Pennsylvania. Respironics is donating EverGo devices to the American Respiratory Alliance (ARA) of Western Pennsylvania in support of the Alliance’s 14th Annual Cruise for Respiratory Patients, Sept. 13-22. The event is called “Smooth Sailing” and provides respiratory patients with the opportunity to participate in a weeklong vacation cruise.

Smooth Sailing participants will fly cross-country with the EverGo portable oxygen concentrators, a trip that otherwise would be difficult and cost-prohibitive. In the past, participants relied solely on ground transportation, which limited their cruises to nearby destinations. “Being able to lend the EverGo portable concentrator to patients for use on the plane and the cruise ship is exciting for us because it provides many of the oxygen patients with the opportunity to visit a place that might only have been a dream—Alaska,” said Carol Ann Kuczma, Director, ARA Programs and Services.

A 2005 FAA ruling as well as the commercial airline industry’s recent widespread acceptance of portable oxygen concentrators such as EverGo now provides oxygen users with the ability to more easily fly from point to point, depending upon the airline.

“We are pleased to support the efforts of the American Respiratory Alliance of Western Pennsylvania by donating the use of the EverGo portable oxygen concentrators for this year’s voyage,” says Kim Snyder, US Marketing Manager, Home Respiratory Care, Philips Respironics. “The participants in this event represent the extent to which oxygen users across the country are gaining more freedom to travel far from home and participate in the activities that matter most to them and their families.”

Participants will start their journey when they fly from New Jersey and Pennsylvania across North America to Seattle, Washington using the EverGo portable oxygen concentrator on battery power. From there, the group will set sail on a nine-day Alaskan cruise to Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, British Columbia.

ARA will lend the oxygen users all the necessary portable oxygen equipment for use during the cruise including stationary units, traditional tanks as well as the EverGo portable oxygen concentrator. “Respironics has been the key partner in this year’s event and quite frankly, without the portable technology, this trip would not have been possible,” says Kuczma.

The Smooth Sailing trip will also include activities and services tailored specifically to the oxygen users group. While sailing, members are encouraged to attend classes on COPD, new technology trends and more. The cruisers will also be supported by an experienced staff of medical professionals that includes a physician, respiratory therapists, registered nurses and volunteers.

For more information on the American Respiratory Alliance of Western Pennsylvania or the Smooth Sailing Annual Cruise for Respiratory Patients, call 1-800-220-1990 or go to www.healthylungs.org.

About Respironics

Respironics’ Sleep and Home Respiratory Group is recognized worldwide for its continuous stream of medical innovations and advancements in the management of sleep disorders and chronic respiratory problems. The Group integrates state-of-the-art technology in diagnostics, therapy and monitoring with strategic solutions to help healthcare providers and sleep centers care for patients efficiently and cost-effectively.

Respironics is a leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of innovative products and programs that serve the global sleep and respiratory markets. Focusing on emerging market needs, the Company is committed to providing valued solutions to help improve outcomes for patients, clinicians and healthcare providers. Respironics markets its products in 131 countries and employs more than 5,300 associates worldwide. Further information can be found on the Company’s Web site: www.respironics.com.

EverGo is a trademark of Respironics, Inc. and its affiliates. WristOx is a trademark of Nonin Medical.

©2008 Respironics, Inc. and its affiliates.