WINNIPEG. Over 19,000 people across the province are standing for respect today as part of the third annual Red Cross Day of Pink.
Red Cross Day of Pink, presented by RBC Royal Bank, brings awareness of the impact of bullying and what people can do to create safe and respectful communities.
Across Manitoba, more than 365 schools and businesses are hosting events that include film festivals, speakers’ series, rallies and parades to inspire their community to take action against bullying. For each official Red Cross Day of Pink t-shirt sold, the Red Cross can educate one community member to recognize and respond to bullying. This year, the Red Cross sold more than 19,000 official T-shirts.
“We have gone above and beyond what we expected to achieve with Red Cross Day of Pink,” said Shawn Feely, Provincial Director for the Canadian Red Cross. “Having so many people across the province choose to take a stand for respect demonstrates that bullying behaviour is no longer socially acceptable.”
"We at RBC are so proud to support Red Cross Day of Pink and are inspired by the young people and educators who stand for respect every single day," shared RBC Regional Vice President Holly Toupin. "This is an extraordinary movement that invites all of us to be a voice for change and have the conversation about bullying in our boardrooms, classrooms, and living rooms."
"I commend the Canadian Red Cross for raising awareness of bullying and inspiring students to take a stand against it,” said Minister of Education and Advanced Learning James Allum. “Today on Day of Pink, the international day against bullying, discrimination, homophobia and trans-phobia in schools and communities, let’s all take a moment to reaffirm our commitment to work together to prevent bullying in any form. Together, we can ensure all students feel safe and respected in their schools.”
The Canadian Red Cross is Canada’s leader in bullying prevention education. Children, youth and adults are educated through the award-winning Red Cross Violence, Bullying and Abuse prevention program to be able to recognize, respond to and prevent bullying behaviour.
Red Cross Day of Pink is presented by RBC and supporting sponsors IMPACT Security, Special T, MTS, and 680 CJOB/FreshFM. The Red Cross acknowledges the support of Safe Schools Manitoba.
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Jason Small
Communications Advisor
Canadian Red Cross, Manitoba
T: 204-982-7321
jason.small@redcross.ca
Megan Blanchette
Development and Communications Coordinator, Fund Development
Canadian Red Cross, Manitoba
T: 204-982-7315
megan.blanchette@redcross.ca
on twitter @RedCrossMB
Photos from previous Red Cross Day of Pink events can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/redcrossmb/sets/