08 May - Red Cross Day

 

Every year, World Red Cross Day is observed on the 8th of May. On this day we celebrate the principles, the history, the values, and the impact of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement on the world today. As part of this day, people pay tribute to the members and volunteers of the organization who have contributed to the work of humanitarians.

We celebrate World Red Cross Day with the objective that we will save more lives and keep them healthy, that is the main task of the day. This day was first celebrated in 1948. In 1984, World Red Cross Day was officially approved by the United Nations. Each year since then, World Red Cross Day has been celebrated.

The 189 National Societies of the Movement represent 97 million volunteers. About half of them are youth volunteers.

About 50 percent of the volunteers of the Movement are women.

From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, there are 189 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world at present.

The Red Cross is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world.

Programs and services from the National Societies address both urgent and long-term needs, including emergency response, disaster preparedness, community-based healthcare, first aid training and activities, restoring communication between family members and disaster victims, and youth and volunteer projects.

Throughout its history, the Red Cross has received the Nobel Peace Prize four times: in 1917, 1944, and 1963, as well as for the award given to Henry Dunant in 1901.

The Canadian Red Cross Society was established by the Canadian government in 1909 when they passed the Canadian Red Cross Society Act

Currently, there are more than 34,000 volunteers working in the Canadian Red Cross. That is amazing.

08 May - In Martinique, Mount Pelée erupts

 

Mount Pelée or Mont Pelée , meaning "bald mountain" or "peeled mountain")is an active volcano at the northern end of Martinique, an island and French overseas department in the Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc of the Caribbean. Its volcanic cone is composed of stratified layers of hardened ash and solidified lava.Its most recent eruption was in 1932.

The stratovolcano's 1902 eruption destroyed the town of Saint-Pierre, killing 29,000 to 30,000 people in the space of a few minutes, in the worst volcanic disaster of the 20th century.The main eruption, on 8 May 1902, left only two survivors in the direct path of the blast flow: Ludger Sylbaris survived because he was in a poorly ventilated, dungeon-like jail cell, and Léon Compère-Léandre, living on the edge of the city, escaped with severe burns.

08 May - World Thalassaemia Day

 

World Thalassaemia Day is celebrated every year on May 8th to raise awareness about thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. This day is an opportunity to educate people about the disease, its symptoms, prevention, and management.

Thalassemia is a genetic condition that affects the body's ability to produce hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to different parts of the body. People with thalassemia have a lower than normal number of red blood cells and hemoglobin, which can cause anemia and other health complications.

There are two types of thalassemia: alpha and beta. Alpha thalassemia occurs when there is a problem with the genes that make alpha globin, while beta thalassemia occurs when there is a problem with the genes that make beta globin. Both types can be mild or severe, depending on the number of genes that are affected.

Thalassemia is most commonly found in people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian descent, but it can affect anyone regardless of their ethnicity. It is estimated that around 300,000 babies are born with severe thalassemia each year, and many of them do not survive beyond their first few years of life.

There is no cure for thalassemia, but it can be managed with regular blood transfusions, iron chelation therapy, and bone marrow transplants. These treatments can help reduce the risk of complications and improve the quality of life for people with thalassemia.

On World Thalassaemia Day, organizations and individuals around the world come together to raise awareness about the disease and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. They also work to promote early diagnosis, genetic counseling, and access to treatment and support services.

In addition to raising awareness, World Thalassaemia Day is also a time to celebrate the strength and resilience of people with thalassemia and their families. It is a reminder that, with proper care and support, people with thalassemia can live full and meaningful lives.

In conclusion, World Thalassaemia Day is an important occasion to raise awareness about thalassemia and its impact on individuals and communities worldwide. It is a reminder that we need to work together to improve the lives of people with thalassemia and their families through increased awareness, better treatment, and support services.