DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2012-- DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a leading provider of kidney care services that is committed to improving the quality of life for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), announced today that “DaVita Way of Giving,” an unusual locally-focused charitable giving initiative, will result in over $1,000,000 in donations to non-profit organizations across the country.

While many companies make charitable contributions to national non-profit organizations, the DaVita Way of Giving is unusual in that company leaders empowered clinics across DaVita’s® 43-state footprint to select the locally-focused charity of their choice for a company contribution.

Nearly 600 clinics participated in the DaVita Way of Giving, and more than 600 charities throughout the U.S. will receive contributions. In some cases teammates in an individual clinic selected the local charity that would receive a $1,000 contribution. In others, numerous clinics in a particular community joined together to select a beneficiary that would receive a larger contribution.

“DaVita is a community first and a company second. That’s why we call it the DaVita Village,” saidKent Thiry, DaVita CEO and chairman. “We wanted to empower everyone in the Village – especially our caregivers in the clinics – to make a difference through DaVita giving.”

Contributions include nationally recognized charities like Ronald McDonald House, Make a Wish Foundation and United Way, as well as hundreds of grassroots contributions to smaller local charities focused on needs in their individual communities.

One such charity is Los Angeles’ Project Angel Food, which delivers healthy meals to those struggling with serious illness.

“We were so surprised and thrilled when six thousand dollars just arrived in the mail from a group ofDaVita clinics,” said Wes Hall, Development Director at Project Angel Food. “These donations will enable us to provide thousands of nutritious meals for people who are struggling with terrible life-threatening illnesses.”

DaVita teammate Katie Bollella of DaVita New Haven Dialysis is proud to be part of making a difference in her city.

“One of the highlights of the holiday season was getting together as a team to decide what organization to contribute to,” said Bollella. “In the end we were all in agreement because of the extraordinary work that the Connecticut Food Bank does in the community.”

DaVita New Haven Dialysis is also holding a food drive to support the Connecticut Food Bank, said teammate Michelle Rodriguez.

“Every little bit helps,” said Rodriguez. “Giving anything – whether it’s a financial contribution or a can of soup – really can make a difference in someone’s life.”

DaVita is a registered trademark of DaVita Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About DaVita

DaVita Inc., a Fortune 500® company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, delivering dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVitastrives to improve patients’ quality of life by innovating clinical care, and by offering integrated treatment plans, personalized care teams and convenient health-management services. As ofSeptember 30, 2011, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 1,777 dialysis facilities, serving approximately 138,000 patients. DaVita supports numerous programs dedicated to creating positive, sustainable change in communities around the world. The company’s leadership development initiatives and social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare, Newsweek and WorldBlu. For more information, please visit www.davita.com.

Source: DaVita Inc.

DaVita Inc.
Lauren Moughon
Lauren.Moughon@DaVita.com
Office: 303-405-2094
Mobile: 206-724-3826