Red Cross Month

March is Red Cross Month

The organization that’s always there in times of need

Posted 3/26/20

Since its founding in 1881, the American Red Cross has been dedicated to serving people in need, consistently fulfilling its mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of …

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Red Cross Month

March is Red Cross Month

The organization that’s always there in times of need

Posted

Since its founding in 1881, the American Red Cross has been dedicated to serving people in need, consistently fulfilling its mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. This is done by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.​

Volunteers carry out 90 percent of the humanitarian work of the Red Cross. They help respond to an average of more than 60,000 disasters every year. There are also many opportunities to remotely help the organization from home.

The federal government often relies on the work of the Red Cross in providing services, deploying staff and volunteers, to aid the United States’ armed forces and their families, as well as to provide disaster relief in the U.S. and around the world.

The Red Cross developed the first nationwide civilian blood program in the 1940s and still provides more than 40 percent of the blood products in the U.S. The Red Cross has also offered training on various life-saving practices since the early 1900s, such as first-aid certification and swimming classes.

Throughout its long history and still today, the Red Cross depends on generous contributions of time, blood and money from the American public to support our lifesaving services and programs.

Fundamental principles of the global Red Cross network 

Humanity: The Red Cross, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors—in its international and national capacity—to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.

Impartiality: It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

Neutrality: In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Red Cross may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

Independence: The Red Cross is independent. The national societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with Red Cross principles.

Voluntary Service: The Red Cross is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

Unity: There can be only one Red Cross society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

Universality: The Red Cross is a worldwide institution in which all societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other.

Compassion into action

The American Red Cross always aspires to turn compassion into action so that.

  • all people affected by disaster across the country and around the world receive care, shelter and hope.
  • our communities are ready and prepared for disasters.
  • everyone in our country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products.
  • all members of our armed services and their families find support and comfort whenever needed.
  • in an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives.

The Red Cross and coronavirus

The American Red Cross is closely monitoring the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) while supporting public health agencies to help communities prepare.

Right now, the American Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma.

The Red Cross also urges organizations to maintain scheduled blood drives. Donating is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood or platelets. Right now, eligible and healthy donors are strongly urged to make an appointment to give soon, but please postpone any donations for 28 days following international travel, or if you’ve been diagnosed with or have had contact with anyone with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. The Red Cross has implemented additional precautions to ensure the safety of its donors and staff.

This blood shortage could impact patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients fighting cancer. One of the most important things you can do to ensure we don’t have another healthcare crisis on top of coronavirus is to give now. For more information and to make an appointment, visit www.redcross.org.

From www.redcross.org.  

red cross month

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