Albany, NY (May 7)– Tomorrow (May 8), the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York (ARCNENY) joins more than 700 American Red Cross Chapters and 185 other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies around the world in celebrating World Red Cross/Red Crescent Day.

World Red Cross/Red Crescent Day is celebrated throughout the world each year on May 8 in honor of Henry Dunant, founder of the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement. This holiday highlights the efforts of Red Cross /Red Crescent societies to protect the lives of people everywhere, and connect families across the globe.

Locally, ARCNENY connects families separated by war and international conflict (including the Holocaust) through our Restoring Family Links program. The national Red Cross connects local chapters with Red Cross/Red Crescent societies abroad to help immigrants or refugees living in the United States learn the well-being of and, if possible, communicate with loved ones from whom they have been separated.

In many cases, the Restoring Family Links program is the only hope of reaching family in remote refugee camps and hostile war zones. Last year, the American Red Cross helped exchange messages and conduct related tracing between more than 9,400 people separated by crisis in countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Burundi, Iraq and the former Yugoslavia as well as on behalf of Holocaust survivors.

“Conflicts and disasters leave millions of people around the globe in need of humanitarian aid every year,” said Tim Bachman, ARCNENY Director of Emergency Services. “Through our Restoring Family Links program, we can address some of the consequences of international conflict, like separation and lack of knowledge, to help families reconnect and share urgent news.”

For information on Restoring Family Links program, including the Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center, visit www.redcross.org/familylinks or call the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York at (518) 458-8111.

You can celebrate World Red Cross Red/Red Crescent Day by:

• volunteering time with your local Red Cross;
• donating money;
• giving blood regularly.

About the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York
ARCNENY helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Last year, nearly 1,100 residents of the Capital Region and surrounding areas were provided free, emergency assistance by ARCNENY after disasters such as fires, floods, and power outages. In addition, thousands were assisted by the Red Cross after the December 2008 ice storm; more than 700 victims received shelter with the Red Cross during that time. Locally, more than 550 greater Capital Region residents serve as Red Cross volunteers. The Red Cross offers free training for Disaster Action Team volunteers.

The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money and blood from the American people to do its work. An average of 90 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. For more information about your local Red Cross, visit www.redcrossneny.org or call (518) 458-8111.