Priceless commitment

Without volunteers, the rescue service is threatened with a heart attack

2773 patients are treated by the Red Cross in Lower Austria - every day! The greatest burden is shouldered by the many volunteers. Their commitment is priceless in the truest sense of the word.

Johanna Mikl-Leitner began the performance review of the Red Cross for 2023 with a big thank you, because the Governor knows that Lower Austria would not be possible without volunteers. The commitment of the more than 18,000 volunteers is too great and would be priceless in the truest sense of the word.

Impressive balance sheet
Last year, the volunteers at the largest rescue organization in the state put in 2.4 million hours, the majority of which were spent on acute and medical services. Health and social services accounted for 373,000 hours, and almost 88,000 hours were spent looking after young people. In general, interest among young people is on the rise, with 1727 under-18s now involved in the blue and yellow Red Cross.

Mikl-Leitner also emphasized the importance of first aid courses: "So that everyone can become a lifesaver in an emergency." Health Minister Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig emphasized that the Red Cross is not only a reliable partner for people in the state, but also for politicians: "What the Red Cross does to combat poverty in the state is also exemplary." Praise that the new Lower Austrian President Hans Ebner passed on to "his" Red Cross members. For him, the big common goal is essential: "We want to shape our future with the power of humanity!"