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( BW)(TN-FEDEX)(FDX) FedEx Express Prepares World's Only Flying Eye Hospital for International Sight Saving Missions; FedEx Express Becomes ORBIS' Primary Aviation Sponsor

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 2002--ORBIS, a nonprofit organization operating the world's only "flying eye hospital", is set to begin a new round of missions to end avoidable blindness in developing countries with the help of FedEx Express (NYSE:FDX). FedEx Express is helping to deliver sight worldwide as it becomes ORBIS' primary aviation sponsor.

Using a converted DC-10 as a central training facility, ORBIS transports a state-of-the-art medical school to areas where access to medical treatment is extremely limited. In the DC-10's operating room ORBIS' volunteer medical teams, comprised of the top ophthalmologists from around the world, work side-by-side with local doctors. More than 24,000 patients in 81 countries have had sight restoring surgery performed by ORBIS.

"By committing our vast aviation expertise, FedEx Express is assisting ORBIS in delivering the gift of sight to countless individuals throughout the developing world," said Don Barber, senior vice president of Air Operations, FedEx Express. "As a global provider of reliable and time-definite transportation, this is a significant way FedEx Express can give back to the communities which we serve. "
"ORBIS is a one-of-a-kind operation which has brought the gift of sight to countless people throughout the developing world. In searching for a global aviation sponsor, our `wish list' asked for a global, efficient and aggressive company whose employees possess a level of pride that inspires them to go the extra mile. We've found that with FedEx Express," said Kathy Spahn, ORBIS President and Executive Director.

FedEx Express, a long-time contributor to ORBIS, is expanding its support by providing aviation-related services to ensure that ORBIS continues its global missions. The company's commitment includes:


--	FedEx Express completed the DC-10's annual safety check mandated to ensure the aircraft's airworthiness at no cost to ORBIS. FedEx Express aircraft maintenance technicians in Los Angeles spent two weeks preparing the aircraft for its upcoming medical missions throughout the world. More than 75 FedEx Express employees contributed to the process.
--	A FedEx Express aircraft maintenance technician will travel with the flying eye hospital throughout 2002 and 2003 to provide routine aircraft maintenance during its medical missions.
--	As the operator of one of the largest DC-10 fleets, FedEx Express will provide training for all ORBIS volunteer pilots. Presently, the ORBIS flight crew is comprised of recently retired DC-10 pilots and active pilots from several commercial airlines who volunteer their time for the medical missions.
--	FedEx Express will continue to ship urgently needed medical supplies to program sites all over the world at no charge to ORBIS, a practice that began with ORBIS's first medical mission in 1982. FedEx Express transports medical supplies and aircraft equipment necessary to sustain the aircraft's needs from the U.S. to the closest major city near the ORBIS aircraft. FedEx Express then trucks the supplies to their final destination and loads them on board the aircraft.

ORBIS first flight since the September 11 terrorist attacks will depart July 28 for a 10-day mission to China. Upcoming sight-saving missions for ORBIS include:


--	Taiyuan, China (July 30 - August 5, 2002)
--	Chittagong, Bangladesh (September 15 - October 3, 2002)
--	Chennai, India (November 7- November 25, 2002)
--	Fuzhou, China (January 6 - January 24, 2003)
--	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (March 2003)

ABOUT ORBIS

ORBIS is a global, nonprofit, humanitarian organization that helps save sight and eliminate avoidable blindness worldwide. ORBIS responds to the needs of developing nations -- where 90% of blind people live -- with hands-on training for eye care professionals, public education about blindness and technical assistance to improve access to quality ophthalmic services.

Since 1982, ORBIS has completed more than 480 programs in 81 countries. It has trained in excess of 50,000 ophthalmologists, nurses, biomedical engineers and other healthcare workers who, in turn, provide treatment and training in their countries. Worldwide, more than 24,000 patients have been directly treated by ORBIS volunteer doctors and more than sixteen million people have received eye care from ORBIS-trained eye care specialists.

ABOUT FEDEX

FedEx Corp. is the premier global provider of transportation, e-commerce and supply chain management services. The company offers integrated business solutions through a network of subsidiaries operating independently, including: FedEx Express, the world's largest express transportation company; FedEx Ground, North America's second largest provider of small-package ground delivery service; FedEx Freight, the largest U.S. provider of regional less-than-truckload freight services; FedEx Custom Critical, the world's largest provider of expedited time-critical shipments; and FedEx Trade Networks, a provider of customs clearance, international freight forwarding and trade facilitation.

NOTE TO EDITORS: FedEx press releases and photos are available on the World Wide Web at http://www.fedex.com

    --30--tlm/na*

    CONTACT: FedEx Public Relations
             Ed Coleman, 901/434-7784
             eacoleman@fedex.com
             or
             ORBIS Public Affairs
             Darcie Goodwin, 646/674-5532
             dgoodwin@ny.orbis.org

    KEYWORD: TENNESSEE CHINA INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC
    INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PHOTO PHOTOWIRE MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION
E-COMMERCE MEDICAL DEVICES
    SOURCE: FedEx Public Relations
    PHOTO: bw1