I first met founder Chief Gene Saunders and the Project Lifesaver team in 2009, 10 years into their mission, while on assignment as a newspaper reporter. At the time, I interviewed several caretakers whose loved ones had been found alive and in record time thanks to Project Lifesaver's special expertise and immediate action. I gained tremendous insights to the profound challenges that people prone to wandering due to cognitive impairments and the search-and-rescue teams charged with finding them all face. Flash forward to 2024, as Project Lifesaver International celebrates 25 years, expansion and growth beyond the U.S.A. and more than 5,000 success stories, and I write this on behalf of scores of others I've met over the years: It's hard to imagine what life would be like for the missing, the caretakers, the search teams and their communities without Project Lifesaver International. We appreciate all you do to save our spouses, parents, children, siblings, neighbors and friends, "bringing (our) loved ones home" from the dangerous paths they roamed. Keep up the great work.
I love Project Lifesaver! I serve as an Ambassador, and have for the past three years. The work that they do in order to bring everyone home while keeping law enforcement educated is so crucial and important to the community of caretakers and loved ones, while also bringing compassion to law enforcement. I am so honored to be a part of PLI, and can't wait to keep spreading the mission!
I have been in association with this organization for many years. I have never seen a more dedicated and professional group of people anywhere. They have a goal of saving lives and every minute of their days are consumed with that thought. They are constantly striving for better in procedures, equipment and training with everything being more available to their member agencies. They definitely DO NOT get the recognition they deserve and most foundations that help non profits don't understand what or how they are doing what they do. Any organization that can boast a record of rescues this organization can should rightfully be proud and recognized. And they do it all as a non profit 501 c 3.
As a veteran of the NYPD and father of an autistic child, my wife and I frantically searched for the right method to keep our daughter safe, should she wander. Then I found Project Lifesaver.
Since then, I have proudly introduced 4 municipalities to Project Lifesaver, and they have all adopted (or are in the process of adopting) this program.
The peace of mind knowing our daughter can be found in minutes, rather than hours or days - is priceless.
We wanted to bring Project Lifesaver to our hometown. We had a very difficult time raising the funds. But the kind and generous people at Project Lifesaver were always there to help us when we needed it, whether it was with promotional materials or help with fundraising ideas and different places to contact to try and generate more funds. Though the people if our town didn't seem to have much interest in helping out, the folks at Project Lifesaver kept helping us look for different grants for our police department to apply for. They worked hard with our family and our local police department to bring the program to us. They are an amazing group of people and they have an amazing program that should be mandatory in every town across America. We are so grateful to finally have our Autistic daughter wearing a Project Lifesaver wrist band. I know that our town will benefit from having this program in place. We, as a family, already have. We really are so grateful!!! Thank you everyone at Project Lifesaver.
I have been involved with Project Lifesaver for over ten years. The peace of mind this program brings to caregivers is something i hear over and over again. Knowing the average recovery time is 30 minutes or less, it breaks my heart to read about missing autistic kids or those suffering from Alzheimer's, in communities that have never heard of this organization; one that saves lives every day!
I know someone who personally works with Project Lifesaver and the organizations does a wonderful job with locating individuals who have Autism or Alzheimer's. I also support there fun raising projects.
Project lifesaver deserves far more recognition than they have ever received. They work tirelessly to make the world safer for those who suffer from Alzheimer's and Autism, and give their caregivers the peace of mind they have prayed for.
Please support PLI and spread the word about this tremendous non profit organization!
As the mother of twin boys who both have Autism, and a National Advocate, I cannot say enough about Project Lifesaver Int'l. The work they do is unmatchable. There is no other tracking service on the market that utilizes the technology of PLI and with a flawless rescue rate it gives a parent peace of mind that their children are protected.
An organization like no other, Project Lifesaver Inc. has helped to bring thousands of loved ones home safely with out hitting the taxpayers pockets very hard. I don't think people realize just how much money is saved everytime someone goes missing and the local PLI agency responds. It's not only the fact that they save money but they are also trained in dealing with individuals that have cognitive disorders. I feel very lucky to be a part of this organization.
As a teacher in a general education classroom, knowing that Project Lifesaver is in my community to serve my students is amazing. I have seen it in action and have even volunteered. I cannot stress enough how awesome and important this organization is to my community and communities across the country.
I cannot recommend this organization enough. As 29 year veteran of the senior care world, I have heard too many stories about persons with dementia that wandered ending in heartache. This incredible organization, made up of extremely dedicated (current and former) law enforcement officers works tireless to educate public safety officers and caregivers alike on how to decrease the risk and locate more quickly at -risk individuals. Their training, support, equipment and intervention has resulted in 1,000's of rescues-often in around 30 minutes. Their protection and efforts around those with cognitive impairments from Alzheimer's to Autism is truly Lifesaving. This organization should be in every city, town and county in the country.
Sincerely,
Mara Botonis
Author, "When Caring Takes Courage: An Interactive and Compassionate Guide for Alzheimer's Caregivers"
Professionally,I have had the honor of partnering with this organization on numerous projects. This organization is built on a foundation of compassion and integrity. The staff is professional and dedicated to their mission. I have found them to be very responsive to the changing needs of the community. I would recommend this program to any family member or caregiver who is caring for a loved one who tends to wander. In the event of a crisis when a loved one is missing, this program could literally save their life.
As the parent of a young man with special needs, I am grateful to have this program as a resource and thankful that this organization continues to expand services to families.
Projectlifesaver has been a tremendous blessing to our family. My 6 year old with ASD received a bracelet in July. The peace of mind that it brought has been absolutely priceless...
Project Lifesaver is a great program for those families that struggle with the constant worry of their loved one wandering away from them. Our local fire departments enjoy meeting the clients and families that use this program. What a rewarding and humbling organization to be a part of. Not only does Project Lifesaver help help with the safety of the clients using the program, but also help build the relationships between the wanderer and the first responders. This also helps in the case of an emergency. I enjoy being a part of this program and hope to help spread the word to more families in need.
I was drawn to Project Lifesaver while reviewing safety programs for my father (now deceased), who'd had dementia, with my siblings as his at-home caregivers. I had concerns that wandering would eventually become an issue as his illness progressed. In addition to their successful record of utilizing Project Lifesaver transmitters and receivers to rescue lost individuals, nearly 3,000 to date - I was especially drawn to Project Lifesaver by the thought and humanity at the heart of their program. Two of the examples I'm referring to:
1. On their enrollment form, Project Lifesaver includes a section asking the caregiver to provide specific phrases (or pictures for non-verbal clients), to be used when approaching their lost family member. Phrases or pictures which would enable the lost, confused individual to remain calm as they were approached by first responders. For families and caregivers, knowing the first responders will have that information about their lost loved one and use it when approaching them - I believe provides those families with greater peace of mind. There is concern by families that their lost loved one, who may be agitated and disoriented at the time of rescue - may be mistaken for someone purposely (perhaps forcefully) resisting the first responders. The Project Lifesaver secure database file, describing the individual and how best to approach them - is referenced by first responders and eliminates the likelihood of misinterpreting the lost person's mindset or intent.
2. When Project Lifesaver travels to new agencies to conduct training on their equipment, they also devote significant time to training the officers (often Sheriff's officers) on how to interact with individuals who have Alzheimer's, Autism and other cognitive disabilities.
I've met and gotten to know the directors of Project Lifesaver Int'l, and know them to be dedicated and also kind individuals. In rescuing nearly 3,000 lost individuals, many of these lives may have been lost otherwise. Just as importantly, they're providing a greater peace of mind to families of individuals who tend to wander, and the wonderful value of that peace of mind can't be measured or underestimated.
Thank you,
Paul Jetter
I am very thankful for Project Lifesaver, my son got into the program at age 7 and is now 11! He is high functioning autism but has wandered away twice and got locked out of his school building once! Project Lifesaver gives me the peace of mind that if he wanders again they will respond and find him quickly!!The Pilot Club that provides these bracelets, free of charge, for him is a true blessing! I recommend this program to all those with special children!
It is an honor and rewarding to be part of such a wonderful organization addressing the needs of the community to protect vulnerable populations prone to wandering. I love being able to help provide information on our program to families who really can benefit from enrolling their loved one. I love hearing how we provide safety and protection for their loved one as well as peace of mind to the family.
This is a great organization made up of member public safety agencies, with the training and equipment to protect their communities in a wandering situation by locating the signal from the client's bracelet and tracking o their location. In 15 years these member agencies have accounted for almost 3, 000 rescues of those wandering and becoming lost as a result of a cognitive disorder.
I am very grateful for Project Lifesaver, for the kindness of SAR members, and the time and dedication they all put into their work. I have two autistic children and they wander off if they find opportunity. I am a single parent. I do my best to keep them safe, and my greatest fear is not finding them. I have seen the news reports of autistic children who wandered away and died before they were found. These children might have survived if they had been found sooner, and they wouldn't have been lost for long if they had been on Project Lifesaver.
This summer my 7yr old autistic daughter Allison disappeared. In the middle of all the horrible stuff I was going through when I lost Allison, I was a frazzled nervous wreck. I was freaking out inside with all of the thoughts of what might have happened to her and I did panic.....but deep down I had a calm reassurance that SAR can find her because of Project Lifesaver. It was that comforting thought that helped me remain calm enough during it all that I was able to get through it without falling apart.
I have a much better quality of life because my children have the benefit of being on Project Lifesaver. It has the equipment, trained professional volunteers, it has 100% success rate, and thousands of rescues. My children will always come back to me because of you, thank you Lifesaver...
I am so very grateful and I thank you
Sent from Kathleen