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• Kate McCombs’ MedicAlert bracelet may have saved her life during an allergic reaction after an NHI error put her at more risk.
• MedicAlert Foundation NZ’s Pay it Forward campaign seeks donors to support those struggling with membership fees.
• The $65 annual fee covers essential medical information access, crucial for vulnerable individuals like seniors and children.

As Kate McCombs' throat closed up and a team worked urgently around her, she knew she could be moments away from being given a treatment that might kill her.

Due to an ongoing error with her NHI number, the professionals working to save her life were unaware of her lengthy list of allergies and health conditions.

“It was actually quite scary because I couldn’t breathe and they’re trying to get the air into my lungs,” she said.

“I’m starting to turn blue and the room’s starting to turn dark.”

Desperate and unable to speak, McCombs was tapping repeatedly on her wrist, trying to get the attention of the medical team.

“This one lone nurse, all of a sudden she realises I’m pointing to my bracelet.”

McCombs' MedicAlert bracelet had all the information that her NHI number didn’t provide, including serious allergies to common medications.

“My MedicAlert actually saved my life,” she said.

The frightening incident, which happened after she suffered an allergic reaction to a new pain medication, is one of the reasons McCombs feels she cannot go without her bracelet - but she is one of many Kiwis under financial pressure to continue paying the annual membership fee.

MedicAlert Foundation NZ is launching its Pay it Forward campaign to find 10,000 donors willing to support vulnerable, at-risk people who are struggling to pay for their annual MedicAlert services.

The services, which include a digital collection of a member’s allergies and health conditions that health workers can access from an ID on the bracelet, cost $65 a year.

In the past 12 months, tough economic circumstances have resulted in about 9000 people finding it difficult to fund their membership.

“People are hurting, they have been for some time,” said Dr Andrew Dunn, the foundation’s medical director.

“Many vulnerable and disabled people who rely on MedicAlert’s life-saving resources are unable to fund their services, or do not qualify for Disability Allowance Support from the Ministry of Social Development for financial hardship.”

The campaign for donors asks members of the public to pay $65 to fund a person’s membership for 12 months.

“Demand is far greater than the foundation has the resources to support. Disabled people with an ongoing exposure to health service costs cannot stretch their money to cover all costs,” Dunn said.

“Seniors and children are most at-risk. Failing to support these people will be adding cost to the health system, which could be avoided.”

McCombs, who has been under financial strain due to an injury she suffered years ago, said having all her important medical details collated on the bracelet was crucial for her.

“It’s really, really important because if you get given the wrong medication, it’s life and death.”

Despite being in the best place to get help, Kate McCombs thought she could be in even more danger.

One case study provided by the foundation has a membership for her 7-year-old son, who has haemophilia, a rare genetic blood disorder. She is one of those who has been given a membership grant from the foundation.

“We’ve been with MedicAlert since my son was born. The thought of having to cancel because of financial pressure, only for a life-threatening situation to arise and not have the necessary help, is awful for a parent,” the mum said.

“Receiving a one-year grant from MedicAlert has been such a relief. It’s lifted a weight off our shoulders and removed the fear of being left without that essential support.”

While $65 may not seem like a large amount to some, she said for families like hers membership costs could be challenging.

“We have a large family, and I run a charity. For us, that fee isn’t always doable.”

She said the membership gave her peace of mind.

“We know [our son will] get the care he needs, even when we’re not there to speak for him.”

Chief executive Murray Lord said their services reduced a burden on the health sector and led to better outcomes for patients.

“We have a proven, cost-effective system which saves lives and money and needs more support.”

Only 2.06% of the New Zealand population have registered, clinically-validated IDs, but the foundation said 22% of the population could benefit, due to having a medical condition that made them more susceptible to harm.

The top five medical conditions within the MedicAlert Foundation in New Zealand include allergy/anaphylaxis, diabetes, heart diseases, respiratory diseases (including asthma) and epilepsy, with a quarter of Kiwis living with an allergy and millions more living with life-threatening disabilities.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Pay it Forward campaign can do so on the foundation’s website, and can choose to pay $65 or any amount of their choosing.

“Any contribution helps, increased donor generosity could significantly boost the number of people protected from harm. There’s no question about it, your donations will save lives,” said Dunn.

Melissa Nightingale is a Wellington-based reporter who covers crime, justice and news in the capital. She joined the Herald in 2016 and has worked as a journalist for 10 years.