Canal Winchester, OH Resident Receives VITA(TM) Wireless Samaritan Award.

WASHINGTON -- The Wireless Foundation and members of CTIA-The Wireless Association[R] proudly honored T-Mobile customer, Lauren Durnbaugh of Canal Winchester, OH on Monday, June 2nd with a 2008 VITA(TM) Wireless Samaritan Award. Durnbaugh was honored during the 14th Annual Wireless Foundation Achievement Awards Dinner for using her wireless device to help prevent a potential tragedy.

Lauren Durnbaugh was home sick from school when two people knocked on her family's door. After calling her mother and learning that she was not expecting any visitors, Lauren returned to her bedroom. When she heard the two enter the house through an unlocked door, she hid under the covers of her bed and silently sent her mom a text message alerting her to the burglars. At one point, the two intruders sat on the bed where Lauren was hiding as they discussed which items to steal. Lauren's mother, Ms. Margo Roby, raced home from her office and dialed 911 en route. She confronted the two just as police arrived on the scene. Purses, jewelry, and electronics had already been taken from the home; the two were arrested and charged with burglary.

"Thanks to Durnbaugh's immediate response and the use of innovative wireless technology, tragedy was averted," said Steve Largent, CTIA-The Wireless Association[R] President and CEO. "On behalf of the wireless industry, I commend Lauren for taking action and stepping up to the plate to resolve this dangerous situation. Lauren is a well-deserving recipient of the 2008 VITA(TM) Wireless Samaritan Award, and we are proud to honor her in this way."

Every day more than 290,000 wireless phone calls are made to 911. That is why the VITA[TM] (Latin for "life") Wireless Samaritan Awards are presented annually to recognize people across the United States who used their wireless technology to save lives, stop crime and help in other emergency situations. These individuals exemplify the importance of putting safety first, as well as the crucial role wireless technology can play in emergencies.

In recognition of Lauren Durnbaugh's quick thinking and bold action during an urgent situation, she was selected by a panel of law enforcement and emergency response representatives to receive the 2008 VITA(TM) Wireless Samaritan Award. This award honors citizens who have used wireless responsibly in emergencies, and is given annually to roughly thirty recipients nationwide.

The Wireless Foundation is a non-profit organization that was formed by member companies of CTIA-The Wireless Association[R] in 1991. The Foundation oversees a number of programs designed to put wireless technology to work addressing the challenges of society.

www.wirelessfoundation.org