Isuzu Employees Respond to Injured Co-Worker's Need for Blood

    CERRITOS, Calif., Aug. 6 American Isuzu Motors Inc.
(AIMI), the U.S. distributor of the popular Isuzu sport utility vehicles and
diesel engines, recently had the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to
"Go Farther" in a unique way.
    AIMI quickly organized a replacement blood drive for the University of
California, Irvine, Medical Center (UCI), after Service Communications
Operating Manager Dave Klatt suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle
accident.
    Klatt's accident resulted in massive blood loss and created the need for
donors to replace the units used during his multiple surgeries.  So AIMI
turned the company's media room into a makeshift blood donation center.  About
30 units of blood were collected from employees of AIMI, as well as Isuzu
Motors America, Inc., an affiliate company.
    "This type of support from an employer and co-workers is not common," said
Teresa Bewley, Blood Donor Recruiter for the UCI Blood Donor Center.  "AIMI
showed true compassion for and commitment to Dave Klatt as well as the
community by going above and beyond the units needed for Dave's surgery."
    Klatt, an 18-year AIMI employee who is now recuperating at home,
responded, "I'm just beside myself.  I got a real sense of what it feels like
to be supported by my employer and cared for by my fellow employees."
    Klatt had volunteered to serve as a motorcycle escort for an upcoming AIDS
run, and was on his way to safety training when he was hit by a pickup truck.
Klatt suffered three fractures to his pelvis, a fractured vertebrae, a break
in his knee, lacerations to his kidney and liver, and his foot was nearly
severed at the ankle. He was released from the UCI Medical Center on July 31,
2001, and will continue his treatment with outpatient rehabilitation.