Philip’s Supports Veterans of “Greatest Generation” on Memorable First Trip to Washington, D.C. WW ll Memorial

Murrysville, Pa., - June 29, 2009

Royal Philips Electronics recently partnered with Aerocare Paul Home Oxygen Service of Greeley, Colo. to lend EverGo portable oxygen concentrators to the Honor Flight Network, a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for their sacrifices. The Network transports veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorial, with priority given to World War II survivors and veterans who may be terminally ill.

On April 27, 134 veterans flew from Denver, Colo. for a memorable two-day tour of the capital’s monuments and sights, including the World War II Memorial, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, and the Korean and Vietnam memorials. Don Paul of Aerocare Paul Home Oxygen Service coordinated the loan and set up of the EverGo portable oxygen concentrators for eight of the travelers who are dependent on supplemental oxygen.

Medical Officer of the Northern Colorado Honor Flight, John G. Hurst, M.D., explains, “The EverGo devices were efficient, lightweight, durable, and reliable units [that] gave the medical team a vital resource to help assure these vets a safe passage. Without this assistance, several of these vets could not have made this journey.”

Portable oxygen concentrators like EverGo, which offers a unique 8-hour battery life, make air travel easier for individuals who require oxygen. The Respironics EverGo is one of a handful of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved portable concentrators now permitted for use aboard commercial airline flights in the United States. “We are pleased that the EverGo portable oxygen concentrators enabled these veterans to make this significant trip,” explains John Frank, vice president and general manager, Home Respiratory Care, Philips Home Healthcare Solutions.

Firsthand accounts

“Oxygen issues are one of the bigger obstacles encountered during the Honor Flights and having a reliable source, such as the EverGo portable oxygen concentrator, makes life a lot less complicated. These devices were simple to use and were extremely durable during the entire flight,” remarked Travis Miller, certified paramedic and part of the Northern Colorado Honor Flight medical team.

Ervin Schlepp (right) served on the U.S.S. Ranger from 1943-45 as a Seaman First Class and worked as part of the deck fire crew. He was impressed by the device and commented that it is “lightweight and provided the relatively high flow of oxygen that I needed.”

Dale Peterson (below) served as a firing battery commander in Italy from 1943-45. He reported that “the Respironics (EverGo) worked great” and is planning to use the device for his upcoming family reunion because of the battery longevity and lightweight construction.

Photos courtesy of Mike Peters, Greeley Tribune.

For further information, please contact:
Maryellen Bizzack
Director, Marketing & Communications
Philips Home Healthcare Solutions
Tel: 724-387-5006
E-mail: Maryellen.bizzack@philips.com

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of $38 billion in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.,

About the Honor Flight Network

The inaugural Honor Flight took place in May of 2005. Six small planes flew out of Springfield, Ohio taking 12 World War II veterans on a visit to the memorial in Washington, D.C. In its fourth year, 2008, HFN safely transported 11,137 veterans to see their memorials, at no cost to the veterans. Learn more at http://www.honorflight.org.