Press Release
The Lions Clubs of Canada and the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation have come together to protect children attending St. Francis School here from unforeseen medical emergencies through the “No Child Without” program (NCW).
With this partnership, St. Francis students with pre-existing medical conditions or allergies will receive a free MedicAlert bracelet and membership, ensuring first responders will have access to the student’s vital health information during a medical emergency.
“With our support, children will have access to this important and potentially life-saving program,” said Val Martindale of the Fort Frances Voyageur Lions.
“The Lions Clubs of Canada are proud to be able to play a role in expanding the ‘No Child Without’ program,” she added.
Lions Clubs across Canada are working to provide funding and community-based support in order to expand and implement “No Child Without” in their local schools.
The local Voyageur Lions have directly funded students attending St. Francis School.
In recognition of their outstanding efforts and contribution, all MedicAlert bracelets and necklets provided for students enrolled in this program feature the Lions Club logo.
“The emergency numbers on the back of the MedicAlert bracelets provide schools with important information to assist a student in an emergency situation should it arise,” said Robert Ridge, president and CEO of the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation.
“By partnering with local Lions Clubs to bring ‘No Child Without’ to schools in each community where Lions Clubs are active, we are helping to protect the lives and health of the children in each community,” he stressed.
In the event of a medical emergency, MedicAlert immediately notifies parents when the emergency hotline receives a call about their child.
Many parents of children who wear MedicAlert bracelets have found it reassuring to know they will be informed if their child has had a medical emergency and that proper care was provided quickly.
“As most parents know, children with medical conditions may be at risk whenever they leave their home,” said Ridge. “Parents worry a great deal about how their child will communicate their medical condition in a crisis.
“Through the help of local Lions Clubs across Canada, the ‘No Child Without’ program will provide students the full protection of MedicAlert and give parents peace of mind,” he noted.
MedicAlert’s “No Child Without” program focuses on children who suffer from allergies like peanuts, childhood diabetes, and asthma, and also helps children with other pre-existing medical conditions.
Across Canada, at least 10 percent of children have a condition that warrants MedicAlert protection.
The goal of the “No Child Without” program is to provide elementary students across the nation a MedicAlert bracelet or necklet custom-engraved with the child’s medical information, member ID, and the MedicAlert 24-hour emergency hotline number.
By calling the hotline, school staff or health-care providers have immediate access to vital information from the child’s electronic health record, including existing medical conditions, current medications, allergies, special needs, and physician and family contacts.
