PITTSBURGH -- On May 8, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter will join more than 740 American Red Cross chapters throughout the country and 185 other Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies around the world in celebrating World Red Cross Red Crescent Day.
The day marks the birth of Henry Dunant, the founder of what today is known as the International Committee of the Red Cross. Moved by the atrocities he witnessed during the Battle of Solferino in 1859 (part of the Second Italian War for Independence), Dunant began advocating humane treatment of the sick and wounded during wartime. Dunant was later honored by being one of the first recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.
In southwestern Pennsylvania, the local Red Cross keeps Dunat’s dream of helping others alive by responding to more than 400 disasters each year and providing the victims assistance with such essential needs as food, clothing and shelter. Additionally, each year the local chapter helps an average of 400 local families communicate emergency messages to their loved ones serving in the military abroad and trains more than 47,500 people in lifesaving skills such as first aid and CPR.
“Dunant’s legacy of helping people in need, wherever they are, continues in our own backyard,” said Charlie McGivern, Interim CEO of the local Red Cross. “Whether it’s helping the victims of a local fire or deploying area volunteers to help at a national disaster, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter is making a difference around the world and here at home.”
You can celebrate World Red Cross Red Crescent Day by making a Promise to Prepare with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter. Visit swpa.redcross.org and promise to volunteer, take a class, build a disaster kit or make an emergency plan.
Additionally, you can donate to your local Red Cross. The Red Cross is not a government agency and does not receive any public funding. It is only through the generous donations of the local community that the Red Cross is able to help the victims of disasters. To make a donation or to learn more about the local Red Cross, visit swpa.redcross.org or call 1-888-217-9599.
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