In The News

"Project Lifesaver recognized for their expertise in Locating missing persons with Alzheimer's"

Chief Gene Saunders has been selected as an at-large delegate to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA)

The conference will be held in Washington, D.C. on December 11-14, 2005.

This conference will help guide the President and Congress as they develop national aging policies for the U.S. for the next ten years and beyond.

The theme for the 2005 WHCoA is "The Booming Dynamics of Aging: From Awareness to Action"

By CATHY KOPLEN
Register & Bee staff writer

DANVILLE, Va. September 29,2001 — A Danville woman who suffers from Alzhiemer’s disease wandered away from her home Thursday and her family could not find her. More --------->

By SHAY WESSOL THE ROANOKE Times

Alzheimer's patient found in 9 minutes
Project Lifesaver technology lives up to its billing

A bracelet transmitter helped police locate the Blacksburg man who had wandered away from home. More -------->

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER STAFF

Thursday, January 16, 2003

Tracking device for Alzheimer's patients proves successful once again.

More -------->

March 31, 2004 Letter to Chief Gene Saunders

I first reported about the dangers of autism and wandering in 1994 for my booklet "Avoiding Unfortunate Situations", and continued to update wandering and autism information for articles in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin (2001), Sheriff Magazine (2002) and for my full length book, "Autism, Advocates and Law Enforcement Professionals: Recognizing and Reducing Risk Situations for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders" (2001). My new "Autism & Law Enforcement Roll Call Briefing Video" (2004) features a section solely devoted to wandering.

Elopement and wandering is the leading cause of public safety contacts for children and adults with autism. Resultant drowning deaths are common as well. Wandering is also sadly linked to Autism and missing persons.

I'm grateful to you and everyone involved with Project Lifesaver for the opportunity to help spread the word about it wherever I present. I will do so over the next several weeks in Chicago, New York City, Syracuse, New York, Lafayette and West Monroe, Louisiana, Port St. Lucie, Florida, Madison, Wisconsin and Portland and eastern, Oregon.

In my experience, Project Lifesaver is the answer for wandering when it tragically and predictably occurs with people who have Autism, Alzheimer's disease and other life threatening conditions. Project Lifesaver's years of professional experience, field success, American and International partners, and devoted and knowledgeable staff make it the clear leader in addressing the serious issues of wandering. Project Lifesaver is the only program I find worthy of telling others about. I hope my efforts help with it's continued success.

Thank you, Chief Saunders, for developing Project Lifesaver. Please know that it works, works well and is saving lives out here.

Sincerely,

Dennis Debbaudt, Port St. Lucie, Florida