Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center announces plans to build The FedEx Family House, the first facility to provide housing for families of patients receiving extended care at Le Bonheur. 

Financial support for the FedEx Family House will come from a $2.3 million donation from FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and personal donations from Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and CEO, and his wife Diane, and Alan B. Graf, Jr., executive vice president and CFO, and his wife Susan.

Expected to open in 2011, The FedEx Family House will provide 25,000 square feet with 25 sleeping rooms, kitchen and dining facilities, an indoor recreational space, a small business center, a fitness room and other comforting amenities.

“For more than 50 years, children from around the world have received exceptional care at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center,” said Mr. Graf. “We believe this donation will improve the lives of children and their families and reinforces Le Bonheur as one of the leading children’s medical centers in the country.”

The FedEx announcement supports Le Bonheur’s long-term vision to become a top  pediatric facility in the country, built upon the concept of Family Centered Care.  

In the pursuit to offer care in cutting edge medical facilities, Le Bonheur has announced a $327-million expansion plan which will nearly double the space for patient care, research and education. This ambitious building project is slated for completion in 2011, and FedEx has already supported the hospital expansion with a gift of $5 million. 

“The generosity of FedEx, its leaders and employees is world-class, and all of us at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare are excited and grateful for their commitment to build The FedEx Family House,” said Gary S. Shorb, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare president and CEO. “FedEx is known internationally for its guarantee to be right on-time with the right solutions, and their partnership in this endeavor delivers on that promise in real humanitarian terms.”

In 2006, Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center provided inpatient and outpatient services to more than 130,000 children from 47 states. Approximately 30,000 of those children came from outside Shelby County.

“Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center has a vision to become a nationally renowned children’s hospital. To reach that goal, Le Bonheur must provide the best in state-of-the-art medical facilities and programs, as well as outstanding support services and amenities for our patients and families. The FedEx Family House will provide these critically-needed amenities and support for our families,” said Meri Armour, Le Bonheur president and CEO.

For years, FedEx has supported Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center through volunteer activities and financial contributions.  FedEx also supports organizations that share a commitment to children’s health and safety, including SafeKids Worldwide, March of Dimes, ORBIS International and numerous children’s hospitals in the local communities where its team members live and work.

About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $35 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 280,000 employees and contractors to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit fedex.com.