MEDICALERT:
A program designed to inform medical personnel of considerations when treating individuals in emergency situations

Canadian Cancer Society, PEI Division and MedicAlert partner to provide free MedicAlert bracelets to PEI women who have cancer and lymphedema

Residents in Canada and the U.S. can order a MedicAlert bracelet or necklet for any medical condition - including lymphedema.

MedicAlert provides a 24-hour toll-free emergency hotline which allows health care professionals and emergency workers instant access to your medical information in more than 140 languages. MedicAlert's confidential computerized database provides them with your medical conditions, medication, allergies, special needs, personal requests, physician phone numbers and emergency contacts. Medical information can be updated and changed at any time free of charge. The MedicAlert bracelet or necklet can be ordered in any size. To contact the Canadian MedicAlert Foundation call them toll-free at: 1-800-668-6381 or you can reach them through their web site at: http://www.medicalert.ca/.

The Lymphedema Association of Quebec sells Lymphedema Alert Bracelets for $35.00 Canadadian. To order a bracelet you can contact the AQL/LAQ at: (514) 735-1149.

In the United States, The National Lymphedema Network (NLN), and Karin Douglas, a breast cancer survivor and lymphedema activist, have launched The LYMPHEDEMA ALERT BRACELET to protect breast cancer survivors from receiving treament in their affected arms(s) which could trigger the onset of lymphedema or worsen an existing case (such treatment includes blood pressure, injections, blood draws, chemotherapy), and to educate health care professionals.

The bracelet is made of non-allergenic stainless steel with the words "Lymphedema Alert: No Blood Pressure - No Needles in this Arm" and the universal medical symbol, on it. (To order this $15.00 bracelet you can e-mail NLN at: nln@lymphnet.org.)