Donor Newsletter – February 2023
February is all about hearts, celebrating both Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month. At the heart of MedicAlert Foundation are the members we serve, the first responders who help us protect them, and you – our loyal donors who make it all possible.
We know it takes a special kind of person to make a difference. It takes a very special person with a big heart to choose to help others, and to support MedicAlert in delivering on our mission: to save and protect lives.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being one of those very special people.
We know that many MedicAlert members are affected by heart disease – it’s the #1 condition our members record in their MedicAlert health profile. And it’s likely you have at least one friend or family member who is living with heart disease. Here are some thought-provoking facts about heart disease in the US.
More than 20 million Americans have coronary artery disease, which can lead to heart attack or heart failure.
In the United States, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds.
About 1 in 5 heart attacks are silent —the damage is done, but the person is not aware of it.
People with heart failure make more than 800,000 Emergency Room visits per year.
For people living with heart disease or heart-related illness, MedicAlert can make the difference when seconds count. We relay critical medical information to first responders in emergency situations – improving health outcomes for our members facing a crisis. MedicAlert is the only medical ID organization that provides this service.
That’s why millions of people trust MedicAlert Foundation with their lives. People with heart disease rely on us to protect them in an emergency – and we rely on you to help us deliver our lifesaving services.
Your ongoing support enables us to protect this vulnerable population by funding our 24-hour emergency response service, sponsored member program, secure health profile database, and member services team. We couldn’t do it without you!
Every year, MedicAlert answers tens of thousands of emergency calls. First responders, medical personnel and good Samaritans alike contact us on behalf of our members, seeking the information they need to help that person in an accident or medical emergency.
Your donations enable us to answer every call, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Just as we have for the last 67 years. Thank you for funding our lifesaving services.
Here’s the story behind one recent call to our emergency response specialists. Through MedicAlert’s efforts, a life is saved – made possible by your donations.
At the Emergency Department of a California hospital, a patient arrived by ambulance as a “John Doe.”
His condition was dire – he was in cardiac arrest and coding. The only identifying information on him was his MedicAlert bracelet.
The ER nurse Jennifer read the engraving on his MedicAlert ID, but she needed more information – and fast. She really needed to know who she was treating and details of his medical history.
Jennifer called the MedicAlert 24/7 hotline on his ID and reached our emergency response specialists. Patricia, a 30-year veteran on the MedicAlert team, handled the case. From the member number on his bracelet, Patricia identified the patient as David, an 84 year old male MedicAlert member with multiple medical conditions.
Patricia confirmed David was on blood thinners, had hypertension and a recent aortic valve replacement. She quickly gave Jennifer a rundown of the rest of David’s health profile.
Most importantly, Patricia provided Jennifer critical information beyond what was engraved on the ID bracelet – the model number and manufacturer of his implanted cardiac device, and a list of all nine medications he was taking.
With that information, Jennifer and the attending physician quickly devised a treatment plan.
Immediately after the call, Patricia transmitted David’s full MedicAlert health profile to the hospital, including his advance care directive. Patricia then called David’s emergency contact – his daughter– so she could be by his side when he needed her most. That’s all part of MedicAlert’s emergency services.
Jennifer was so grateful for the information MedicAlert provided. “As an ER nurse, having my patient’s medical history is crucial to providing the right treatment. And an accurate list of medications is so important, especially in an emergency situation. That kind of information saves lives.”
As for David, at 84 years young, he is recovering at home with his family happily around him. His daughter is forever grateful for MedicAlert. She said, “Without MedicAlert, I don’t know what would have happened to my dad. It could have taken days to identify him, and by then it might have been too late. MedicAlert truly is a lifesaver.”
“If I have an emergency, and they call MedicAlert, they’ll know what to do,” Chrissy says. “And that means I can live my life without so much worry.”
Chrissy; living with heart failure, future transplant recipient, and MedicAlert member since 2018
Did you know that 2023 marks MedicAlert Foundation’s 67th anniversary? Your financial support has made possible our longevity and success in saving lives. From everyone at MedicAlert Foundation, and the millions of people we protect – a huge THANK YOU!
Learn more about MedicAlert through the years.
Leave your lasting legacy – and help ensure MedicAlert Foundation protects vulnerable people for generations to come – with a gift from your estate.
The Collins family, founders of MedicAlert Foundation, left a lasting legacy by launching the world-renowned organization that would go on to save millions of lives. Are you thinking about your legacy? If so, we’d be honored for you to consider a planned gift to MedicAlert Foundation.
When you include MedicAlert Foundation in your will or trust, you become a member of the Collins Legacy Society – and help secure the future of our lifesaving work for people living with chronic medical conditions.
Whether you’d like your donation to make an impact today or go into effect after your lifetime, there is a charitable plan that lets you provide for your family, enjoy tax advantages, and support MedicAlert Foundation. You can learn more here.
On behalf of all of us at MedicAlert Foundation, thank you for your financial support. We are so grateful for you, our generous donors.