Originally Released: May, 1999
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"SAVES FOR SHOCK TRAUMA" PROGRAM GOES INTO SECOND YEAR

For the second straight year, the Orioles are teaming up with MBNA America Bank and the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center to help save lives.

The "Saves for Shock Trauma" program will generate $1,000 for the world-famous center of advanced treatment for critically injured patients every time an Orioles pitcher records a "save," a statistic signifying performance under pressure.

"Last year, the program provided $37,000 for Shock Trauma, and this year we are hoping to exceed that amount," said Tom Scalea, M.D., physician-in-chief of the Shock Trauma Center and professor of surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

The announcement of the program's continuation came during National EMS Week, honoring rescue squads, paramedics and life support teams across the country, including about 35,000 in Maryland. Carrie Krug, 19, of New Windsor, Md., who survived a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler due to the expertise of Emergency Medical Services and Shock Trauma personnel, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Thursday's game against the Anaheim Angels.

"When it comes to saving lives under the most difficult circumstances, every one of these EMS and Shock Trauma providers is an angel," said Dr. Scalea. "To earn a save in a baseball game, you have to come in when the pressure is on. there can't be save without a win. It's the same for EMS providers and the Shock Trauma Center.

As a team, they save more than 6,000 lives a year," said Scott A. Hudson, regional executive vice president of MBNA and a member of the Shock Trauma Center Board of Visitors.

In baseball, a "save" occurs when a relief pitcher comes into a game in the late innings with his team in jeopardy of losing yet preserves the victory.

Earlier in the week, the Maryland State Police unveiled a 12th MedEvac helicopter for the fleet that brings seriously injured patients to one of nine trauma centers around the state.

"The helicopters landing and taking off from the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center just over the left field fence are an all-too-familiar sight for fans at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, but they do remind us of the important work being done every day of the year by this vitally important part of the EMS system," said Morton I. Rapoport, M.D., president and chief executive officer of the University of Maryland Medical System. "Again, this year, we and the people of Maryland are indebted to MBNA for their generosity," he said.

"It's a cliche in baseball that you can never have too much pitching, and it's true at Shock Trauma, too -- you can never have too much expertise. We are proud to be teaming up once again with two of our best corporate partners, the University of Maryland Medical System and MBNA America," said Joe Foss, Orioles vice-chairman and chief operating officer.

The R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center is the primary adult trauma resource center for the State of Maryland and is recognized internationally as an innovator in trauma care and emergency medical service systems development. Trauma team members stand ready 24 hours a day to receive, stabilize and treat those whose lives are threatened by severe multi-system injury, complex orthopaedic injury, spinal cord injury and brain injury; those at risk for multiple organ dysfunction; and those who require reconstructive surgery and hyperbaric medicine therapy.

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This page was last updated on: September 25, 2006.