Red Cross Celebrates World Red Cross Day on May 8th

Today, the Tennessee Volunteer Region joins hundreds of American Red Cross chapters throughout the United States and 185 other Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies around the world in celebrating World Red Cross Day.  World Red Cross Day is celebrated each year, in honor of Henry Dunant, who founded the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement nearly 150 years ago.

For more than 130 years, the Red Cross has been dedicated to helping people in communities large and small across the U.S. It is the only humanitarian services organization that provides blood services, serves as the emergency communication link between military personnel and their families, offers health and safety training and responds to disasters of all types and sizes.

World Red Cross Day is a time to recognize worldwide efforts to advocate for the relief of human suffering, whether from disease, disaster, war or famine.

Here in the United States, the American Red Cross is dedicated to helping people in need across the country, and in association with other Red Cross societies, throughout the world. Founded by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881, the American Red Cross provides compassionate care in five critical areas – people affected by disasters; support for members of the military and their families; health and safety education and training; blood collection, processing and distribution to as many as 3,000 medical facilities across the United States; and international relief and development. The American Red Cross is part of the global Red Cross/Red Crescent network.

For more information about Red Cross presence around the world, please visit us online at redcross.org/about-us/history/global-red-cross-network

You can help us celebrate World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day by becoming a volunteer, learning lifesaving skills, making a financial donation or giving a blood donation!