Lauren's Hope - Short Stuff - stylish medical ID bracelets - Brief Article

Girls' Life, April-May, 2003

Lauren Philips, 15, hated having to wear an ugly medical ID bracelet to alert others of her diabetes. "I was self-conscious and thought everyone was looking at me differently," she says. Lauren would conveniently "forget" to wear her bracelet. Problem solved. Not! Without it, in the event of an emergency, no one, including paramedics, would know Lauren was diabetic, which could result in her getting the wrong treatment.

When family friends Denise Gaskill and LeAnn Carlson found out about Lauren's dislike for her bracelet, they figured others probably felt the same way. So they started Lauren's Hope For a Cure to provide stylish medical ID bracelets made of colorful beads, crystals and sterling silver. Lauren is now among over 10,000 girls and women who sport the pretty pieces of eye candy that could one day save their lives. In addition, more than $1 9,000 from bracelet sales was donated in Lauren's name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund last year. So, how does Lauren feel about being a rebel who started a cause? "I feel good knowing kids can feel comfortable wearing these bracelets and feel safe in case something ever happens." Check out all the styles at www.laurenshope.com.