FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today marks the official start of STOP THE BLEED® Month 2026, a nationwide effort to raise awareness, encourage training, and empower individuals to act in bleeding emergencies. Throughout the month of May, the STOP THE BLEED® campaign is mobilizing communities across the country to take action under this year’s theme: “Minutes Matter.”

Theme: Minutes Matter

This year’s theme, “Minutes Matter,” highlights a powerful truth at the core of the STOP THE BLEED® mission: while the campaign celebrates nearly a decade of progress, with millions trained and lives saved, in a real emergency, the outcome is determined in the first few minutes.

“Minutes, not years, determine survival in a bleeding emergency,” the campaign shared. “Every second counts, and every person trained is someone who can step in and save a life.”

How to Participate in STOP THE BLEED® Month

Throughout May, individuals, organizations, and communities are encouraged to take part in STOP THE BLEED® Month in meaningful ways:

• Get Trained: Take a STOP THE BLEED® course and learn how to control severe bleeding
• Host or Attend a Training: Instructors and organizations can organize local training events and post these classes on the Stop The Bleed Coalition’s Training Management System
• Join the STOP THE BLEED® Trainathon: Participate in the second annual nationwide training initiative, powered by the STOP THE BLEED® Training Management System
• Apply for a Grant: Licensed Organizations can apply for STOP THE BLEED® training kit grants through the 2026 STOP THE BLEED® Grant Program
• Engage on Social Media: Participate in the “Raise Your Hand” and “#MySTOPTHEBLEEDStory” campaigns to spread awareness
• Test Your Knowledge: Take the STOP THE BLEED® Quiz and challenge others to learn life-saving skills
• Share Resources: Use campaign materials to educate your community and amplify the message

STOP THE BLEED® Day: May 21, 2026

STOP THE BLEED® Day serves as a focal point during the month, bringing communities together to highlight the importance of bleeding control education. Held during National EMS Week, the day recognizes EMS professionals as vital partners in the mission to save lives.

Why STOP THE BLEED® Matters

Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death in emergencies. A person can bleed to death in just minutes, often before first responders arrive. In many cases, bystanders are the only ones able to provide immediate help.

STOP THE BLEED® was developed from lessons learned on the battlefield, where rapid bleeding control has saved countless lives. By teaching simple, effective techniques, the campaign empowers everyday people to become immediate responders in critical moments.

Join the Movement

STOP THE BLEED® training is simple, accessible, and lifesaving. This May, everyone has a role to play — whether by getting trained, hosting a class, or spreading awareness.

To learn more about the STOP THE BLEED® campaign, visit DoDStopTheBleed.org.
To explore STOP THE BLEED® Month, Day, and ways to participate, visit StopTheBleedProject.org.

For a full list of activities and resources, visit stopthebleedproject.org.

Media Contact:
Kayla O’Neill
Marketing Manager
kayla@ampyourgood.com

Washington, D.C.,  May 1, 2025 – This May, the U.S. Department of Defense’s STOP THE BLEED® program celebrates a decade of empowering everyday people to save lives. Since its launch at a White House event in 2015, the campaign has grown into a global movement, with millions trained across 169 countries.

May 22, 2025  is STOP THE BLEED® Day, a day of action to raise awareness and encourage life-saving training across communities. It’s designed to engage both members of the public as well as community organizations and is a part of STOP THE BLEED® Month, a nationwide effort to expand training and participation throughout May. This year marks the launch of the first-ever STOP THE BLEED® Trainathon, supported by the new STOP THE BLEED® Training Management System.

Why Stop the Bleed Matters

Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death in emergency situations. The STOP THE BLEED® campaign is based on battlefield medical advancements that demonstrated how rapid bleeding control techniques save lives.  Someone can bleed out within minutes.  It can take first responders 7 to 10 minutes to arrive at the scene, and sometimes much longer.  In those cases, only people at the scene can help until first responders arrive.  By equipping everyday citizens with the skills and confidence to act in bleeding emergencies, STOP THE BLEED® is making communities safer and more prepared. Through hands-on training and public awareness campaigns, STOP THE BLEED® transforms bystanders into immediate responders.

How You Can Participate

This May, individuals, organizations, and communities are invited to participate in a range of activities including the following:

• STOP THE BLEED® Trainathon: Whether you have two minutes or two hours, the Trainathon offers ways to learn and get involved.
  
• Social Campaigns: There are several easy and fun social media campaigns, including Raise Your Hand and Would You Know and the new #MySTOPTHEBLEEDStory campaign, encouraging people to film videos of themselves and share their story of getting involved with the campaign.
  
• Grant Program: Applications for the 2025 STOP THE BLEED® Grant Program are open throughout the month.The program has awarded $250,000 in STOP THE BLEED® equipment to date. 

For a full list of activities, visit StopTheBleedProject.org.

Join the Movement

STOP THE BLEED® training is a simple yet powerful way to make a difference. Whether you take a class, spread awareness, or encourage your organization to get involved, you can help save lives. 

To learn more about the STOP THE BLEED® campaign, visit DoDStopTheBleed.org . To learn more about STOP THE BLEED® Day and STOP THE BLEED® Month, visit StopTheBleedProject.org.

Media Contact:

Kayla O’Neill

Marketing Manager

STOP THE BLEED® Project

theteam@stopthebleedproject.org