Celebrate World Red Cross Day on May 8th. World Red Cross Day and Red Crescent Day fall on the Birthday of the movement’s founder, Henry Dunant.
About Henry Dunant
Dunant was born in Geneva, Switzerland on May 8, 1828, to parents who were devoted to social work. His father worked at a prison and an orphanage and was active in helping orphans and parolees. His mother worked with the sick and poor.
Dunant was a Swiss businessman and a social activist. On a business trip to Italy in 1859, he witnessed the Battle of Solferino. Seeing over 40,000 Soldiers injured or lying dead on the ground, Dunant ordered civilians to help the soldiers. He recorded his memories and experience in a book, The Memories of Solferino. This book inspired the creation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1863 and the concept for the Red Cross which was a group of volunteer groups set up to help care for those injured in war. Dunant worked with the Geneva Society for Public Welfare and other European leaders in 1863. The following year, 12 Countries signed the Geneva convention. A universal symbol of a red cross on a white background was decided on to recognize aid workers as medical personnel. Countries later used a red crescent or red crystal.
Dunant later in life became bankrupt and ill but went on to win the first Nobel Peace prize in 1901. The International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Society came together in 1919 and are now in 189 countries.
Facts about the Red Cross
- In 2004 3.2 billion were collected after the Indian Ocean tsunami.
- Consists of over 97 million members, staff, and volunteers.
- Won Nobel Peace Prize in 1917, 1944 and 1963.
- Treated more than 8.2 million patients in 2013.
- Fed more than 6.7 million people in 2013.
- It provides more than half of the United States blood supply.
- American Red Cross holds more than 120,000 blood drives a year.
- World Red Cross Day and Red Crescent Day – since 1948.
Celebrate World Red Cross Day
Celebrate World Red Cross Day today by donating blood. Donors of all blood types are in need to help ensure there is enough blood supply for patients.