CELEBRATING MEDIC-ALERT AWARENESS

Did you know that August is MedicAlert Awareness Month?

In 1978, there was a national movement to promote MedicAlert Awareness. President Jimmy Carter went on to honor the MedicAlert Foundation by declaring the first National MedicAlert Week. In 1996, to mark the foundation’s 40th anniversary, governors from 25 states proclaimed August as National MedicAlert Awareness Month.⁠

Medical Alert Systems include IDs and devices: A MedicAlert ID is a piece of jewelry, like a bracelet or necklace, engraved with important information to alert EMT’s of any medical conditions a person might have.

A MedicAlert Device is a small device that, upon activation, helps notify family members, friends and neighbors and emergency responders in the event of an emergency.

How did it all start?

In 1953, Linda Collins, a 14 year old girl, cut her finger and needed stitches. When she arrived at the hospital, the typical response was a tetanus shot. Linda suffered a near-fatal allergic reaction and went into a coma. Her father knew of her allergy, but was out of town when the incident happened.

Linda survived. This prompted her father, Dr. Collins, to find a solution. When Linda traveled they attached a paper note to one of her bracelets. The note explained what she was allergic to.

Linda left for college in 1956, and her parents wanted a more durable solution. Working with a San Francisco jeweler, the first Medic Alert bracelet was created. They chose the emblem of the staff of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing, and engraved Linda’s allergies on the back.

Realizing this could help other people, they established the MedicAlert Foundation.

Is a MedicAlert bracelet necessary?

American Medical ID conducted a survey of various emergency medical professionals. They measured how often they search for a medical ID bracelet. Here are some of their results: more than 95 percent of respondents look for a medical ID during emergencies. More than 75 percent look for a medical ID immediately upon assessing a patient. Ninety-five percent look at the patient’s wrist to find a medical ID, and 68 percent look for an ID around the patient’s neck.

The study suggests the information on a Medic Alert bracelet is indeed useful to emergency medical personnel.

Linda’s original medical bracelet is now in the Smithsonian. She was able to live a full life, be protected, and her parents had peace of mind when she travelled. For 70 years, MedicAlert Foundation’s lifesaving products and services have continued to do the same for millions of people around the world.

“I think I can save more lives with MedicAlert than I ever can with my scalpel.”

– Dr. Marion Collins, MedicAlert Founder

**Our new address after August 5th will be 222 W Mission Ave Suite 230 in Spokane WA 99201