World Red Cross Day honours the valuable contributions that volunteers, staff and other supporters of the 187 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies that comprise the Red Cross Movement as a whole. The event is also a great opportunity to learn more about the Red Cross' history, beginning with its founder Henry Dunant. In 1859 while visiting Italy, Dunant observed soldiers who had been wounded at a battle in Solferino and left unattended. As Dunant encouraged members of the community to help all those in need, he developed the idea of forming a unique organization with a mission to deliver humanitarian aid to all - it was then that the Red Cross was born.

The Red Cross has evolved considerably in the years since, and in Canada alone, more than 2.2 million people were assisted, trained or educated by the organization last year. The Red Cross has been front and center recently, assisting those most in need affected by the wildfires in northern Alberta. The Red Cross has raised over $30 million for the victims of the fire so far and continues to accept and distribute donations to people who have lost their homes.

For information on how you can donate to the Canadian Red Cross Fund click here https://donate.redcross.ca/ea-action/action?gclid=CKTp2a3_zMwCFQ8yaQodR7EL6w&ea.client.id=1951&ea.campaign.id=50118