65 Stories. One Mission.

For 65 years, MedicAlert has helped protect Canadians by ensuring critical health information is available when it’s needed most. To mark this milestone, we’re sharing 65 real stories from the people at the heart of our mission: MedicAlert subscribers, caregivers, and families whose experiences remind us why this work matters.
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65 years of protecting Canadians told through 65 stories that show why MedicAlert matters.

When we began thinking about how to mark MedicAlert’s 65th anniversary, we could have chosen the traditional route—celebrating milestones, reflecting on history, or highlighting how far we’ve come.

But that didn’t feel right. Because MedicAlert has never really been about us.

It’s about the people who rely on us—often quietly, often in the background, and often in moments we hope never happen. So instead, we made a decision: to tell their stories.

Over the course of this year, I’ve set out to conduct 65 interviews with MedicAlert subscribers. Not testimonials. Not soundbites. Real conversations. What I’ve discovered in my conversations to date is that no two stories are the same—but there are patterns. People managing complex health conditions. Caregivers navigating uncertainty. Families trying to stay connected and safe. And beneath all of that, one consistent truth: When critical health information isn’t available when it’s needed, people are at risk.

That’s the gap MedicAlert exists to fill. We’ve stayed true to that mission for 65 years.

My hope is that by sharing these stories, we do more than reflect. We inform. We connect. And we inspire others to think differently about their own health, their own safety, and the vital role MedicAlert plays in the lives of Canadians.

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Leslie McGill
President and CEO

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When the right help could be the wrong help

Ginger lives with a condition where common emergency responses could make things worse. If she can’t speak for herself, her medical information needs to.

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A Legacy of Leadership 

For 65 years, MedicAlert has been shaped by the people who believed in its mission and helped guide it forward. Michael Stephenson, former Board Chair, shares his reflections on a time of transformation—when critical decisions ensured the sustainability of MedicAlert’s 24/7 emergency hotline and laid the groundwork for programs that continue to impact lives today.

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At the Top of the Checklist: A Caregiver’s Story

For Rodney Squires, MedicAlert is more than a bracelet. A a professional caregiver to a longtime member living with dementia, he sees it as a voice when she can no longer speak for herself — and a safety net for everyone who cares for her. 

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The Paramedic Who Never Takes His ID Off

For nearly 40 years, David has never taken his MedicAlert necklace off. As a full-time Paramedic who has seen firsthand what these IDs can mean in an emergency, his message is simple: "Buy one and wear it."

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 When You Can’t Speak for Yourself 

After a life-threatening complication following the birth of her son, Hazel knew she couldn’t rely on others to understand her condition. 

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When You Can’t Speak, Your Information Should 

 After heart surgery in 2021, Jayne Campbell was advised to get MedicAlert before leaving the hospital. She didn’t hesitate. Today, she wears it for peace of mind—and supports it so others can too. 

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Would you like to share your story?