Chief executive officer, CEO Belgian Red Cross-Flanders Receives Medal of Honor of the Flemish Community

On the Flemish holiday, the Minister-President of Flanders had the pleasure of presenting the annual Badges of Honor of the Flemish Community. This year this honor also fell to Philippe Vandekerckhove, for more than 20 years Chief executive officer, CEO of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders.

The Medal of Honor is a token of recognition for Flemings who have shown exceptional merit. The prime minister emphasized during the ceremony, "For the tenth time in a row, the Flemish Government is awarding an exclusive Ereteken on the Flemish holiday. This year we again selected four people who contributed to the development, positive image and charisma of Flanders in the past year."

Philippe Vandekerckhove reacted gratefully to the award of the Medal of Honor: "It is an honor to receive this award. I am happy to do so in the name of our 2,000 staff members, our 13,000 Red Cross volunteers, more than 34,000 civilian volunteers and 185,000 blood and plasma donors who work day in and day out for the well-being of others. Our activities are wide and diverse and help people in different areas: with plasma and blood for saving lives or for their healing, with reception of asylum seekers, with first aid at numerous events, with immediate availability in case of disasters or crises and with a lot of social activities such as the library service for hospitals and care institutions."

The awarding of the Honors followed a thorough investigation, during which the merits and contributions of the candidates were meticulously assessed. The Flemish Government warmly congratulates the laureates and thanks them for their indispensable commitment to Flanders.