#RCWEEK26
Hosted by AARC
Promoted by AHIS
Respiratory Care Week
October 25–31, 2026 · #RCWEEK26

Take a deep breath. Now thank the person who made it possible.

Respiratory therapists are there for first breaths, last breaths, and every hard breath in between. This week, let’s make sure every one of them hears thank you.

Send a card See the week
Gloved hands forming a heart around a pair of lungs, glowing in a sunrise sky

By the numbers, RTs are kind of a big deal.

142,000
respiratory therapists working across the U.S.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025
8 in 10
work in hospitals, from the NICU to the ICU to the ER.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
#5
Chronic lung disease is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. RTs are on the front line.
CDC FastStats, 2024 data
1982
the year Respiratory Care Week went national. 44 years of thanks, and still not enough.
AARC

Spread the thanks. Tag three friends.

Download a graphic, copy the caption, and post it with #RCWEEK26. Hospitals, nonprofits and employers: these are yours too.

Social graphic: glowing coral lungs on navy with the words You’re breathtaking, #RCWEEK26
“To every RT who helped someone I love breathe: thank you. #RCWEEK26 respiratorycareweek.org”
Download graphic
Social graphic: an oxygen mask whose tubing loops into a heart on orange, with the words Thanks for the air support, #RCWEEK26
“First breaths, last breaths, every breath in between. Thank you, RTs. #RCWEEK26 respiratorycareweek.org”
Download graphic
Social graphic: 142,000 reasons to say thank you, above two hands making a heart around a pair of lungs, #RCWEEK26
“There are 142,000 RTs in the U.S. I’m thanking one today. Your turn. #RCWEEK26 respiratorycareweek.org”
Download graphic
Social graphic: blue lungs giving a thumbs up, with the words Breathe in. Thank out. #RCWEEK26
“Breathe in. Thank out. Tagging 3 friends to thank an RT this week. #RCWEEK26 respiratorycareweek.org”
Download graphic
Not sure what to write? Start here.
“The night an RT…” “What I never got to say…” “To the team who…”
A few sentences is plenty. Post it with #RCWEEK26 and tag the RT or team. Healthcare providers: thank your colleagues, but don’t share a patient’s story.

On your phone? You can also press and hold a graphic, then choose Save to Photos.

Seven days of thanks

One week. Seven ways to show some love.

Sun · Oct 25
Take a breath. Seriously. Notice it. Then post why you’re thankful for an RT.
Mon · Oct 26
Send a card. Pick one above and send it straight to an RT you know.
Tue · Oct 27
Tell your story. Post the moment an RT made a difference for you or your family, with #RCWEEK26.
Wed · Oct 28
Treat the team. Snacks for the respiratory department. Nobody has ever turned down snacks.
Thu · Oct 29
Shout it out. Tag your hospital’s RT team on social with #RCWEEK26.
Fri · Oct 30
Wear it. Show your support with gear from the official RC Week store, and post a photo with #RCWEEK26.
Sat · Oct 31
Pass it on. Tag three friends and ask them to thank an RT too. Happy Halloween, no tricks.

Celebrating your RT team?

Send the whole department a thank-you, and celebrate them with shirts, gifts and recognition items from the official Respiratory Care Week store.

Send your team a card Shop the RC Week store
Three respiratory therapists laughing together on the night shift
Resources from CHEST

For respiratory care leaders

RTs are important members of CHEST, the American College of Chest Physicians. These resources support the RTs and physicians who lead respiratory care together.

Guide for Medical Directors of Respiratory Care

New from the CHEST Respiratory Care Interest Group. Covers acute care, pulmonary rehab, PFT and sleep labs, RT education programs and the ICU.

Read the guide →

Why the guide matters

A CHEST Physician article on the medical director’s role in respiratory care, and how to share feedback on the guide.

Read the article →

CHEST Respiratory Care Interest Group

Connect with clinicians working to advance respiratory care, and help shape what comes next.

Explore the group →