Diabetes & Emergencies: Why I Trust MedicAlert to Protect Me

The first day of school was supposed to be full of excitement—new notebooks, freshly sharpened pencils, and the thrill of seeing friends after a long summer. Nine-year-old Brenda had carefully picked out her outfit, eager to get to the classroom and begin another year. 

But something was off. As she walked through the halls her legs felt heavier than usual, and the chatter of classmates faded into the background. Then, just as she reached her classroom, everything went black. Brenda collapsed and woke up a week later from a coma.

The carefree childhood she had known was replaced with a new reality—one where her health could turn in an instant. Three weeks later, as Brenda left the hospital, her mother handed her something small but powerful: a MedicAlert bracelet. She didn’t know it then, but that simple emblem would one day save her life—more than once!

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A Lifeline When It Mattered Most

Brenda has lived with brittle diabetes for more than six decades. It’s a dangerous and unpredictable condition where blood sugar can rise or plummet suddenly, without the usual warning signs. As a result, she sometimes loses consciousness during a diabetic emergency. If not treated quickly, a diabetic incident like this can result in brain damage or even death.

One day, Brenda was running errands before a busy weekend. She felt a little off but kept pushing through. By the time she reached her last stop, the grocery store, confusion set in. She remembers looking down at her shoes, trying to focus, leaning against a shelf, thinking she needed to eat something —and then everything went black.

The next thing she knew, a kind stranger was holding her hand, reading her MedicAlert bracelet. Within minutes paramedics arrived. Because they got her diagnosis from Brenda’s ID, they immediately gave her the help she needed. Without that MedicAlert ID, she may have died. 

Another incident happened in her own backyard. Brenda was outside gardening and enjoying the fresh air when dizziness struck. Her vision got blurry. She doesn’t remember what happened next, but she woke up in a hospital bed. Her neighbors had seen her collapse—and because of her MedicAlert bracelet, they knew it wasn’t just exhaustion or dehydration. They called for help immediately, and once again, MedicAlert made sure she didn’t become another tragic statistic.

“MedicAlert has saved my life more than once.

I don’t just wear it -- I rely on it”

Brenda, MedicAlert Member

More Than a Bracelet—A Lifelong Guardian

“MedicAlert has saved my life more than once. I don’t just wear it, I rely on it,” Brenda says.

MedicAlert has been with Brenda since childhood—a constant, calming presence through decades of life, love and challenges. Sixty years later, her ID still brings her the same comfort it did when she was just nine years old. It’s the reassurance that no matter where she is, someone will always know how to help.

In a world where emergencies strike without warning, MedicAlert has made the difference for Brenda. MedicAlert’s protection gives her the ability to live independently, without fear of what could happen in an emergency.

Now 71, Brenda celebrates a lifetime of protection, thanks to the small but powerful emblem on her wrist and the organization behind it. Even in her scariest moments, Brenda knows MedicAlert will always be there for her.

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