Red Cross Band-Aid strikes first time in Brussels

Is your 10 euros already there? Over the next two weeks, the more than 12,000 volunteers of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders will be on the road for their iconic plaster campaign. A first this year is that the comic book heroes Suske & Wiske and Jommeke are joining forces: for the first time they are appearing together on the plaster cover. "Until last year, no stickers or plasters were sold in Brussels, but a trial sale clearly showed that Brussels residents also want to support their local Red Cross operation. That is why this year, for the first time, the plaster campaign is fully settled in the capital" beams coordinator Bert Van Driessche. Flemish Minister for Brussels, Cieltje Van Achter, bought the very first Brussels plaster today - a symbolic moment for the fastest growing department.

After more than 60 years of sticker sales, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders switched to patches in 2023. These immediately proved to be a hit: in 2024, 405,000 plasters were sold, worth over 4 million euros. The proceeds go entirely to the local chapters and support the purchase of ambulances, intervention clothing, first aid equipment and social projects.

Flemish Minister for Brussels Cieltje Van Achter: "The growth of the Red Cross in Brussels is no coincidence: they show a remarkable ambition to really make a difference. From my authority for Brussels, I support that commitment to further develop the Dutch-speaking volunteer work in Brussels. This is important because the organization not only helps people in need, but also builds bridges to schools, care institutions and vulnerable Brussels residents. I am therefore pleased and proud to be the first to purchase the Brussels patch today. That is investing in a resilient city and in connectedness."

Growth in Brussels

The Brussels branch has been growing very strongly for several years. With almost 150 volunteers in a few years, it is the fastest growing section of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders.

"We are very ambitious. The world around us is changing, and it is important that Brussels residents are resilient. As Belgian Red Cross-Flanders , we want to contribute to this, including through completely free first aid training," explains Van Driessche ."Every year we want to train 1,000 Brussels residents in Dutch with a growing team of volunteer instructors. Especially on 'CPR and defibrillation' and 'First Aid for traffic accidents' we are shifting up a gear. To purchase the necessary training materials - such as CPR mannequins and adapted teaching materials - we are counting on a strong pledge campaign."

A social face

The Brussels branch does much more than provide free first aid training. Volunteers travel weekly to 18 Dutch-speaking elementary school to support children through the bridging the gap project: they help with homework, practice Dutch or simply offer a listening ear.

Volunteers are also active in several residential care centers in Brussels with library service for hospitals and care institutions. They offer customized books, but above all: a warm conversation. This personal approach helps break social isolation and makes a difference for many residents.

Where do you buy the patch?

Volunteers roam Brussels between April 24 and May 8 with plasters. You can find them Saturday, April 26, anyway, at Place Sainte-Catherine. The central hub is the well-known fish store De Noordzee, where you can buy the plaster throughout the action period. Plasters will also be available at the donor center at 16 Cellebroerstraat.

Buying online can also be done at www.koopdepleister.be

Price: 10 euros - entirely for the benefit of the local operation in Brussels