News

Vials of Life Program Launches in Kansas City, Kan.

Story by <a target=_new href=http://www.kctv5.com/>kctv5.com</a>

07/30/2010

KANSAS CITY, Kan. --

A new program is about to kick off in Kansas City, Kan., that could save lives.

Degloer Pharmacy in Kansas City, Kan., is one of the partners that is bringing the Vial of Life program to the area. In the program, an individual puts his or her medical information inside a special container and if there is an emergency, the information will be available immediately to those who come to help.

Tony Lee, a community policing officer, said he was glad to team up with workers at Shepherd's Center to reach senior citizens from across Kansas City, Kan., with the new program that could save their lives.

In the program, senior citizens or anyone who lives home alone can simply fill out a form with their medical history and place the vial in their refrigerator. The person then places a sticker on their front door so that police and fire officials know exactly where to go to find the information in case of an emergency.

"People don't realize police respond with no information," Lee said. "No name. No contacts."

"We are excited about this," said David Shost from the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department. "We now have an opportunity to gain information on patients who are critical with no family around."

The Vial of Life program has been done in other parts of the country, and it was tried once in Kansas City but it did not take off. Lee is one of the people who helped to bring it back to the area. He was he was reminded of the program when he saw one of the old vials and got curious about what happened to the program.

"It makes me feel good because a lot of seniors need something like this," he said.

Darrell Yochim said he takes eight medications, and he's glad to participate in the new program..

The Livable Neighborhoods Group will be passing out 5,000 of the vials to residents in the area, or they can be picked up on Tuesday between 5 and 8 p.m. at Bethany Park, at 12th Street and Central Avenue, during National Night Out activities.