Blood Means Life

In addition to being Irish-American Month, Women's History Month, and National Nutrition Month, March is also...

 

American Red Cross Month

The American Red Cross, aka the American National Red Cross, is a humanitarian organization. Its celebration in the month of March is attributed to an annual proclamation that began in 1943 with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

Clara Barton –
steel engraving by John Sartain
en.wikipedia.org

Founded by Clara Barton in 1881, the Red Cross has served exponentially providing emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. Barton developed the idea for the American Red Cross after learning of the Red Cross in Europe. As a nationwide non-profit organization, it boasts a rich history spanning more than 130 years yet it has not existed without its share of controversy. Being completely non-profit, the Red Cross depends on the generous contributions of time, blood and money from the American public to support its lifesaving services and programs.

 The mission of the American Red Cross is heartfelt!

People count on the American Red Cross to help them through some of the darkest times in their lives. Each year, the American Red Cross immediately responds to about 70,000 natural and man-made disasters in the U.S., ranging from fires to hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents and explosions. 

Although not a government agency, the American Red Cross also provides emergency and non-emergency services to the United States military. The most notable service is emergency family communications, where families can contact the Red Cross to send important family messages (such as a death in the family, or new birth). It also works closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs.