People affected by disasters in America responding to 66,000 events each year.
Support for members of the military and their families providing 367,00 servers a year like emergency communication and financial assistance.
Blood collection providing blood products to patients in need thanks to the generous support of 3 million volunteer blood donors.
Health and safety education that trains over 6 million people each year in skills that save lives and prepare for disasters.
International relief providing over 200 million measles vaccinations, reuniting thousands of separated families, and offering relief to millions of disaster victims in cooperation with the global red cross network.
March is American Red Cross month. The Red Cross is one of the nation’s premier humanitarian organizations and is dedicated to helping people in need throughout the United States and, in association with other Red Cross networks, throughout the world.
The Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton and a circle of her acquaintances in Washington D.C. on May 21, 1881. Barton first heard of the Swiss-inspired global Red Cross network while visiting Europe following the Civil War.
Returning home, she campaigned for an American Red Cross and for ratification of the Geneva Convention protecting the war-injured, which the United States ratified in 1882.
Today, the supporters, volunteers and employees of the American Red Cross provide compassionate care in five critical areas.
Written by LaVella Head