The Red Cross Week in Polish territories was already celebrated before the Polish Red Cross (PCK) was officially established, which was over 100 years ago.

Available historical sources show that the Red Cross Week was already celebrated by the Galician Red Cross Society led by Father Paweł Sapieha. The tradition was borrowed from the celebrations of the Austrian Red Cross.

In May, various types of concerts, exhibitions, presentations, and especially collections were organized in many cities in Galicia, particularly in Kraków and Lviv, but also in smaller towns, to raise funds for the activities of the Red Cross. The Red Cross Weeks, in their more than 100-year tradition, usually took place at the beginning of May in connection with the birthday of the founder of the Red Cross movement, H. Dunant. Information about the collection during the Red Cross Week was published by all local newspapers of all denominations. The ceremonies often began with a holy mass in the local church. Collections were organized at special booths set in front of Red Cross offices, in churches, on streets, and in restaurants and cafes, as well as in confectioneries. At the booths, one could also sign up and pay a membership fee to become a member of the organization.

On the city walls, appeals appeared, such as the one from 1916

“To the residents of the royal capital city of Kraków!

The institution of the “Red Cross” that does not intrude upon you in everyday times knocks at your hearts!
Little attention is paid to it in times of peace. When the flames of war engulf our lands, when bloody battles are fought, it goes to the soldier wounded in heroic struggles, offering him a soothing hand. And it takes him to its comfortably arranged trains and wagons, transporting him to hospitals, where doctors and nurses carefully surround him with care. When his strength returns, its sanatoriums provide him with the necessary rest. It alleviates the concern for the fate of the family left at home, soothes the family's pain of separation from the father and provider.

All these tasks and hundreds of others are fulfilled by the “Red Cross Society” without publicity and intrusion, bringing relief from pain, soothing the sufferings of the spirit. And it can boldly be said that there is no family that has not directly or indirectly benefited from the benevolence of this institution, which is dedicated to serving others.

Does it receive even a part of the care it provides from society? […]

In this serious moment for the beautifully humanitarian institution, we, the citizens' committee of the city of Kraków, appeal to you, residents of the royal capital city, to surround the Red Cross Week with the warmth of your feelings that we know from your numerous works, not to spare donations and, cooperating eagerly with us, gather a large number of new members of the Red Cross Society, who, by joining the Galician section, will again prove to the world that our Polish city always leads the way in every active act of neighborly love.
Kraków, April 28, 1916

Repeated appeals were also distributed by the school youth, who had even a day off from school on the day of the collection. The youth also had declarations for members of the Red Cross, which they distributed to the residents. The whole was organized by the 'ladies collectors,' that is, the greatly deserving residents of Kraków or Lviv, led by the president's wife. They sat at specially prepared tables set up throughout the city. One could also buy commemorative badges or emblems, “and almost no one was found who did not wear such a badge” (Lviv Gazette, May 2, 1916).

Collections always had a specific purpose. For example, in 1916, we can read in the Daily Courier: “Since inquiries about what purposes the funds raised during this week in Galicia will be used for come from many sides, the Presidential Office of the Red Cross informs as follows…The money collected in Galicia will be used exclusively for domestic purposes, and this in two parts for the Red Cross, while one third will be used for the care of children. Furthermore, during Archduke Francis Salvatore's stay in Galicia, Count Traun, who was with us, stated that a certain part of the collected funds throughout the monarchy will also be transferred for the care of Galician orphans” (Daily Courier, no. 119, May 1, 1916).

Numerous concerts, theatrical and opera performances were organized during which, of course, donations were collected, as well as other attractions such as a bike race.

The celebrations of the Red Cross Week were widely reported in the press of the period. There was no daily newspaper that did not cover the events of the celebrations.

Thus, it is not surprising that the scale of the funds raised during the Red Cross Week was impressive, and the number of members of the association was increasing at an express pace.