Back St. Louis, Wednesday, May 3, 2006 – On Monday, May 8, 2006 , the American Red Cross will join with 183 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies around the globe in recognition of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. This special day is set aside to celebrate the commitment and impact of millions of volunteers who work tirelessly in service to others. Last year, the world witnessed some of the most powerful natural disasters in recent history. At the same time, people mobilized in unprecedented numbers to deliver support and vital assistance. “In addition to our vital mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies throughout the United States, the American Red Cross remains committed to supporting the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement worldwide,” said Joseph C. White, CEO for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. “Every day around the globe, Red Cross and Red Crescent ambassadors work diligently to alleviate human suffering and provide education regarding the importance of International Humanitarian Law.” About the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement: The spirit of volunteerism is the essence of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement). Individuals sacrifice time, money and blood in order to save lives and bring comfort to those in need. Over the past year, volunteers from the American Red Cross responded to an array of disasters— including house fires, tornados, wildfires and the unforgettable series of hurricanes. Overseas, staff and volunteers from the American Red Cross helped to provide millions of measles vaccinations, delivered relief to thousands of survivors of the South Asian earthquake, and continued to help communities recover from the tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Each day, volunteers from the American Red Cross worked to disseminate essential information on international humanitarian law and to reunite individuals through family linking programs. Today, the Movement is comprised of more than 97 million members and volunteers, and assists more than 277 million people worldwide. Although each national society has its unique qualities, each is also united by common principles and the goal of improving the lives of vulnerable people. Together with its Movement partners, the American Red Cross is working to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Nigeria, Tanzania and Russia. The American Red Cross is also supporting the Movement’s efforts to address the food crisis in Africa. Drawing on the success of the Measles Initiative over the past five years, the American Red Cross and its partners are expanding measles vaccination campaigns to Asia, for instance in Bangladesh and Indonesia. At the same time, the American Red Cross is taking a comprehensive approach to prevent other diseases by distributing insecticide-treated bed nets and vitamin A. About St. Louis Area Chapter International Services: Locally, the St. Louis Area Chapter’s International Services Department makes a significant impact through its outreach in the metropolitan area. The Chapter is involved in international tracing and messaging (including Holocaust tracing) to reconnect individuals separated by war and armed conflict, education and fundraising to vaccinate children against measles throughout Africa and parts of Asia, and support for local refugees as individuals relocate to a new city in a new country. In addition, presentations focusing on the importance of International Humanitarian Law are offered in area high schools through a unique partnership with Washington University’s law students. About World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day: May 8 marks the birth of Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement). Motivated by the atrocities he witnessed during the Battle of Solferino, in 1859, Dunant began advocating for the humane treatment of the sick and wounded during wartime. By 1863, Dunant, a Swiss citizen, had created the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.   The first World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day was celebrated in 1948. Through the motivation and action of its volunteers, the American Red Cross and its Movement partners worldwide pay tribute to Dunant’s legacy and his remarkable vision to help those in need and to protect human dignity for all. For More Information: To learn more about the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement or the international services provided by the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter, please call 314.516.2737 or log on to www.redcrossstl.org . ---------------------------------------------------------- About the American National Red Cross: The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors—across the street, across the country and across the world—in emergencies. Each year, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to neighbors familiar and new—the nearly 1 million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross. Through more than 800 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world. Some 4 million people give blood—the gift of life—through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by military duty stay connected. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of more than 180 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter: Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter provides emergency and preparedness assistance more than 407,000 times each year. The Red Cross depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and 100 staff to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter is a United Way agency and provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. # # #

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