Grace gives its annual donation

The Daily Inter Lake

W.R. Grace & Co. will give its annual $250,000 donation to St. John's Lutheran Hospital in Libby for the 10th consecutive year, the company said.

The donations have been used to establish a clinic for patients with asbestos-related diseases, train medical staff, purchase equipment and subsidize medical procedures.

The former Grace vermiculite mine near Libby is blamed for widespread death and disease from asbestos exposure.

In addition to the hospital donations, Grace funds a medical expense program for current and former Libby residents with asbestos disease.

To date, the company has spent more than $17 million on the medical program, which has more than 1,000 current enrollees.