TURLOCK, California (April 4, 2003) In an exclusive interview, famed actress and advocate Nanette Fabray (MacDougall) revealed that she recently suffered a ruptured intestine, and claims that her membership in MedicAlert Foundation saved her life. She was rushed to the Emergency Department and was in excruciating pain. However, Fabray is allergic to all painkillers.

“Before they saw my MedicAlert Emblem, they were going to give me a shot of codeine for the pain, which would have killed me,” said Fabray. The emblem alerted emergency personnel of her allergies and contacts for further medical information.

Another time MedicAlert helped to save Fabray's life was when she traveled abroad in Venice , Italy . People were forced to receive a vaccination due to a contaminated water outbreak.

“The health officials were practicing extremely unsanitary conditions to vaccinate everyone,” Fabray recalled. “I showed the health officials my MedicAlert emblem and, in doing so, avoided being given the shot.”

Although people who suffer from medical conditions and allergies typically become a MedicAlert Member, Fabray thinks that all individuals should join for peace of mind and fast, efficient service during an emergency.

“Join MedicAlert now, don't put it off. It just may save your life. It saved mine,” she said.

Although Fabray is a veteran actress, she is most recently noted for her roles in her one woman shows, tributes, and many shows, including the Broadway comedy Bermuda Avenue Triangle. She also co-starred on the TV sitcoms Coach and One Day at a Time.

In addition to her acting career, Fabray is an advocate for the rights of the disabled, especially the hearing impaired. She has testified before Congress and received numerous awards for her efforts, including the President's Distinguished Service Award and the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award.

Recalling an unfortunate incident to emphasize the potential value of MedicAlert for identification purposes, Fabray noted that a deaf man was killed by police when he didn't hear their request for him to stop. When he reached in his pocket to show the police his medical identification card, they mistakenly thought he was reaching for a gun and shot him.

“If that man had been wearing a MedicAlert bracelet and held out his hands, he would still be alive today,” she said.

Based in Turlock , California , MedicAlert Foundation International is one of the largest nonprofit membership organizations in the world. With operations in nine countries, MedicAlert provides 24-Hour Emergency Response Services and serves more than 4 million Members. As the world's leading emergency medical information service, MedicAlert Foundation International has been saving lives since 1956. MedicAlert relays each member's key medical facts to emergency responders, so that they receive faster, safer treatment, and avoid harmful or fatal reactions.