May 2025, Volume 15
Honoring First Responders — Thanks to You
First responders are at the heart of MedicAlert’s mission. This month we celebrated EMS Week to honor the everyday heroes — EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, and law enforcement — who arrive first, act fast, and save lives.
At MedicAlert Foundation, our job is to make their job easier so that together, we can save even more lives. That’s where you come in.
Thanks to your support, first responders across the country are trained to recognize MedicAlert IDs, call our 24/7 Emergency Response specialists, and get the critical medical information they need in moments that matter.
These brave professionals operate in high-stakes situations where there’s no time for guesswork. With a quick glance at a MedicAlert bracelet, scan of a QR code, or call to our emergency hotline, they have immediate access to your medical history. First responders don’t need to rely on assumptions to treat you — they can act based on facts.
Because of you, emergency professionals are never alone — and neither are the people they help. Your continued commitment ensures that MedicAlert is always there for first responders and our members.
"Having MedicAlert as a resource gives me the confidence to act fast. I know I can get a patient's info in real time — even if they can't speak for themselves."
Bernard, Firefighter/Paramedic
A First Responder's Call That Made All The Difference
Bonnie’s autistic son Matthew had wandered from home before, but always during the day. One summer night, she woke up to find his bed empty — and no sign of him anywhere. For any parent, that’s a terrifying moment.
With Matthew, it was even more frightening. He’s non-verbal and couldn’t tell anyone he was lost, or how to get home. Bonnie immediately contacted 911. Then, knowing time was critical, she rcalled MedicAlert.
Our Safe & Found™ team sprang into action. Within minutes, Matthew’s identifying details and autism diagnosis were sent to local law enforcement. Those details made all the difference.
Just a few hours later, a highway patrol officer spotted a young man walking alone along the 110 freeway, one of the most dangerous roads in Los Angeles. The officer pulled over and tried to engage, but Matthew wasn’t speaking.
Then he saw Matthew’s MedicAlert bracelet. One call connected the officer to our team, who connected the officer with Bonnie. With the information we provided, Matthew was quickly identified and returned home unharmed.
Listen to the actual call to our emergency hotline.
This is what your support makes possible. A lost child. A responding officer. A community effort. And a life protected.
Training the Heroes Who Keep Us Safe
When first responders arrive at a scene, they must quickly assess the situation. Who is the patient? What’s wrong? Are there hidden conditions or complications? MedicAlert helps answer those questions.
Our First Responder Education Program is designed to give EMS, firefighters, and police officers the knowledge they need to use MedicAlert tools effectively. Through online training modules and real-world examples, they learn to identify MedicAlert IDs, contact our team, and use the information we provide to guide care decisions.
This training has reached thousands of first responders — and it’s only growing. It’s free, flexible, and available anytime, anywhere. Your support makes that reach possible.
When emergencies happen, we want every responder to know exactly what to do. Thanks to you, they do.
“As an EMT you have to quickly figure out what's going on, so you can make treatment decisions. With MedicAlert, I don’t have to guess — I get the information I need to save lives.”
Dave, EMT since 2009
What First Responders See — and What Happens Next
MedicAlert isn’t just a bracelet — it’s a whole system built to support emergency response from the ground up. When first responders spot a MedicAlert ID, they know they’ve just gained access to something invaluable: reliable, immediate information that could save a life.
Here’s how it works in action:
Thanks to you, MedicAlert connects emergency responders, hospitals, and families—ensuring people in crisis get the right treatment, at the moment they need it.
What’s Ahead: More Training. More Tools. More Lives Protected.
We’re proud of what we’ve built — but there’s more to do.
In 2025, MedicAlert is launching a new First Responder Education Hub — an online platform that will provide discipline-specific training and resources tailored to EMS, fire, and law enforcement teams. Whether it’s a paramedic in a big city or a sheriff’s deputy in a rural town, this hub will ensure they have the knowledge and support to use MedicAlert to its fullest.
We’re also:
- Creating a First Responder Council to ensure that feedback from people on the front lines informs our services, tools and resources
- Incorporating real-life stories, videos, and simulations into our educational content
- Strengthening partnerships between MedicAlert, emergency professionals, and caregiving networks
With every new tool and training, we’re making sure our system continues to meet the needs of first responders — and of the people they protect. Your support lights the path forward. Thank you.
Donor Spotlight
Ben Harper’s Lifelong Commitment to Safety
Ben Harper has worn his MedicAlert ID for more than 50 years — and he has no plans to take it off anytime soon.
At 73, Ben Harper is full of life–and full of gratitude. A Louisiana native, proud LSU graduate and former top salesperson at ADT, Ben has worn many hats in his lifetime: bookkeeper, pool builder, husband, and now, legacy donor.
His journey started in 1971, when his mother saw an ad in the New Orleans Times-Picayune and ordered a MedicAlert ID for her teenage son, who was allergic to penicillin. “It told our story,” Ben says. He still wears that original stainless steel dog tag today.
Ben knows firsthand how critical MedicAlert’s full-circle system can be. In 2021, Ben had a medical emergency and a bystander used his ID to call for help. That moment reinforced just how essential 24/7 emergency support can be.
Ben told us: “You’re the only organization that provides this kind of support after someone buys a medical ID. People need the 24/7 lifesaving services.”
To pay it forward, Ben made the decision to include MedicAlert in his will. “Supporting MedicAlert means protecting someone’s future,” he says. “You’re a nonprofit. You need support, and you save lives.”
Leave a legacy with planned giving
Have you thought about your legacy? If MedicAlert has made a difference in your life, consider planting seeds of your own to help MedicAlert continue to save lives into the next generation.
