Canon U.S.A. Sponsors March of Dimes Resource Center.

Business/High Tech & Medical/Health Editors

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2000

Financial Contribution and Donated Equipment Will Expand

National Center's Reach

Canon, U.S.A, Inc., the company whose imaging solutions give people Know How, has announced that it will donate equipment and software and make a contribution to the March of Dimes to help expand the March of Dimes National Resource Center. Canon is making this donation to ensure that the center is able to respond to requests for information from callers worldwide on issues relating to pregnancy, childbirth and birth defects.

"Canon believes that protecting children and preserving the environment are two of the most important steps we can take to ensure our future," said Pam Leeds, director of public affairs at Canon U.S.A. Inc. "Through its lifesaving research and innovative programs, the March of Dimes has saved millions of infants from death and disability. Canon is pleased to extend the capabilities of the March of Dimes Resource Center so that callers nationwide can receive fast access to critical health information," Leeds added.

The March of Dimes Resource Center, located in White Plains, New York, provides accurate, timely information on issues relating to pregnancy, birth defects, drug use and environmental hazards during pregnancy. Open 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, EST, Monday through Friday, the Resource Center houses up-to-date reference material, which the Center's six highly trained Health Information Specialists can easily access. Specialists respond to questions received over a toll-free telephone infoline (1-888-MO-DIMES), and on the Resource Center's web site [e-mail], as well as those received by mail. During 1999, the Center handled 25,250 inquiries and hosted nearly 1.5 million visitors to its web site.

"Canon's support will enable us to better understand the Resource Center caller," said Beverly Robertson, director of the Center. "We've already extended our hours and have begun translating our web site into Spanish, and we are promoting our toll-free number so more people will call us. We're also taking a more in-depth look at the people we've helped and their needs, so we can broaden our services and make sure we're focusing our efforts in the right direction."

With the help of its sales subsidiary, MCS Business Solutions, Inc., Canon donated several pieces of equipment to the Resource Center, including: one IR400 S digital copier; one Fax LC 9000-L; one ImageClass 2210 copier; two CLBP 460PS color laser printers; five LBP1760 laser printers; one SZ-3600U digital projector; one CANOSCAN FB 620P scanner; one PowerShot Pro70 digital camera and Speedlite 380EX flash. Canon also donated one EOS3 SLR 35-mm camera, a variety of lenses and one Professional Tripod to the March of Dimes photography department.

In addition to helping the Resource Center, Canon has become a WalkAmerica National Sponsor and is supporting the March of Dimes' largest and most well-known fundraising event throughout all of its regional offices, sales subsidiaries and manufacturing sites in the United States. An estimated 2,000 Canon walkers are expected to participate in this year's WalkAmerica on April 29 and 30.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds research, community service, education and advocacy programs to save babies.

In addition to the March of Dimes, Canon, U.S.A. supports a wide range of organizations that help youth-at-risk. These groups include: the LensCrafters Foundation "Gift of Sight"; the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC); the Boomer Esaison Foundation; the Disabled Children's Relief Fund, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and Junior Achievement. Canon also sponsors several environmental conservation and education programs, including Expedition into the Parks with the National Park Foundation, The Nature Conservancy's Wings of the Americas program, and the award-winning PBS television series "NATURE."

Canon U.S.A., Inc. is an industry leader in professional and consumer imaging solutions and, through its parent company, Canon Inc., is a top patent-holder of imaging technologies. The company's comprehensive product line includes networked multifunction devices; digital and analog copiers (color and black and white); printers, scanners, image filing systems and facsimile machines; camcorders, cameras and lenses; and semiconductor, broadcast and medical equipment. Canon employs 12,000 people at more than 30 facilities throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

All referenced product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Canon U.S.A. Web Site: http://www.usa.canon.com