Ninth Annual STOP THE BLEED® Day Set for May 21, 2026 During EMS Week; 2026 Project Programs Have Officially Launched

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The STOP THE BLEED® campaign today announced the theme and programming for the ninth annual STOP THE BLEED® Day, scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026, during National EMS Week. The entire month of May 2026 has been designated STOP THE BLEED® Month, featuring a robust lineup of activities for individuals, communities, and organizations nationwide.

Theme: Minutes Matter

This year’s theme, “Minutes Matter,” reflects a powerful truth at the heart of the STOP THE BLEED® mission: while the campaign celebrates nearly a decade of progress — millions trained, communities equipped, and lives saved — in a bleeding emergency, the clock resets. The actions taken in the first minutes can mean the difference between life and death.

“As we mark nine years of the STOP THE BLEED® movement, we are reminded that our mission remains urgent and unchanged,” the campaign noted. “Minutes, not years, determine the outcome when someone is bleeding severely. Every person we train is a potential lifesaver.”

2026 STOP THE BLEED® Project Program Highlights

This year’s STOP THE BLEED® Month features several opportunities for STOP THE BLEED® Instructors, Licensed Organizations, and members of the public including:

•  The second annual STOP THE BLEED® Trainathon, powered by the STOP THE BLEED® Training Management System

• The annual STOP THE BLEED® Grant Program that provides Licensed Organizations the opportunity to receive training kit grants

•  The “Raise Your Hand” and “Would You Know” social media awareness programs

•  A STOP THE BLEED® Quiz to test and expand public knowledge of bleeding control

•  Resources for individuals and organizations to help expand campaign awareness

STOP THE BLEED® Day falls during National EMS Week, recognizing the EMS professional community as one of the campaign’s strongest and most dedicated partners.

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.

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.

For a complete list of STOP THE BLEED® Month activities and ways to participate, visit stopthebleedproject.org

Media Contact:

Kayla O’Neill, Marketing Manager

kayla@ampyourgood.com

Author: Project