A Look Back on Project Lifesaver International in 2012 and for 2013 to be Another Year of Growth, Awareness, and Innovation
STUART, Fla., Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As 2012 comes to end we wanted to take a moment to look back and reflect on our 13th year of service. It has been a year of growth, milestones, advocacy, policy, versatility, awareness, and new friendships established with key individuals and organizations.
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We started 2012 with the announcement of our 9th Annual Conference in Las Vegas, NV, with plenty to do and see, along with field training and several days of motivating, informative speakers. It was evident everyone had a great time because attendees, speakers, and staff were able to enjoy the many amenities at the NY/NY Hotel & Casino or just have fun sightseeing up and down the Las Vegas strip. Another key factor during 2012 was the new milestone of over 2600 successful rescues reached by our member organizations.
Search Milestone Achieved
From late winter until now Project Lifesaver member organizations have conducted over 100 successful rescues throughout the country. We are proud of all the member organizations for their hard work and dedication to the communities they serve as they live up to the mission of "bringing loved ones home."
More Advocacy in Both Communities we Provide Safety, Security, and Protection
Advocacy efforts in both the Autism and Alzheimer's communities have lead to the addition of a new ICD-9 billing code specifically for the symptom of wandering. Additionally, we provided the funding to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's to produce the: Lost & Found Report. We also provided counsel and guidance as a subject matter expert to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for the search and rescue of children with special needs.
A Year of Resilience and Growth
We continue to demonstrate resilience in the face of unethical practices from the "for profit" companies trying to copy our program, technology, and organization. Through it all we have consistently continued to spread awareness of the importance of the Project Lifesaver program throughout our many communities.
During this past year the Project Lifesaver program has expand globally: a pilot program was launched in the United Kingdom. In Nova Scotia, Canada, the program has been expanded to full coverage throughout the province, and over 40 new agencies and two new states adopted the program in the U.S.
New Friends and Goals for new Autism Fund
We welcomed a new ambassador to the organization, Candi Spitz, South Florida Spokesperson for Autism Speaks and wife of lead guitarist of Anthrax, Dan Spitz. Candi, along with Homer Jimenez, has been spearheading fund raising efforts for the new Project Lifesaver Autism Fund. In early December they coordinated the First Annual Project Lifesaver benefit in Fort Worth, TX. Furthermore, we have had fundraiser campaigns teaming up with StevieBerts Jewelry and Author and Autism Advocate, Peter La Porta, all in support of the new Project Lifesaver Autism Fund.
In conclusion, we have continued to work with our many friends and establish new friendships with other great people and organizations. We would like to thank everyone for helping to make this a great year and are looking forward to 2013 as another year of growth, awareness, and innovation for Project Lifesaver International.
Have a Happy & Healthy and a prosperous New Year!
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For more information about Project Lifesaver International's program and technology visit www.projectlifesaver.org.
SOURCE Project Lifesaver International
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