Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

People with sickle cell disease – most of whom are of African descent – often rely upon frequent blood transfusions to prevent life-threatening complications and manage extreme pain. The most compatible blood for people with sickle cell is often from donors in the Black community, as blood donors who are Black are almost three times more likely to be a match, compared with donors who are not Black or African American.

To help provide the most compatible matches for blood transfusion needs, the Red Cross is working with partners across the U.S. to dramatically increase the collection of blood from diverse donors. We work with our partners to address misconceptions about sickle cell disease and promote blood donations in the Black community by amplifying the voices of people living with sickle cell disease through social media, media relations, marketing and partnerships with HBCUs, nonprofits, members of the entertainment industry and medical organizations.

In the U.S., drowning is a leading cause of death for children and drowning rates are disproportionately higher in diverse communities. In swimming pools, Black children aged 10-14 years old drown at rates 7.6 times higher than white children. Overall, drowning death rates for Black people are 1.5 times higher than rates for white people.

The Red Cross formed the Aquatics Centennial Campaign to help create an ‘ecosystem of water safety’ to reduce drownings in communities that have high numbers of drownings or drowning rates that are higher than the national average. In partnership with campaign sponsors and through local training providers, we help provide swim lessons, junior lifeguard, lifeguard and swim instructor training, and water safety and CPR training for parents at little or no cost in these communities.

As an active member of the Diversity in Aquatics network, we work to educate, promote and support swimming, water safety and healthy aquatics activities for underserved, marginalized and vulnerable populations. 

Read about our Aquatics Centennial Campaign

Today, the impacts of the climate crisis are disrupting lives and causing devastating harm to people across the country and around the globe. In 2021, more than 40% of Americans - 130 million people - lived in a county struck by an extreme weather event. The climate crisis disproportionately affects those who are most vulnerable, low-income individuals and families, older adults, diverse communities and people with disabilities.

The Red Cross Community Adaptation Program (CAP) is focused on strengthening local partner networks in targeted areas that face a high risk of extreme weather and existing societal inequities. This immersive collaboration is intended to holistically enhance the partner’s ability to deliver health, hunger or housing-related services, both before and after disasters.

Read about our Climate Crisis actions

We believe blood donation eligibility should not be based on sexual orientation. To help inform change in blood donation guidelines, the Red Cross has engaged in decades of data collection, assessment and advocacy to eliminate donor questions based on sexual orientation. We worked closely with our Red Cross Pride Group and LGBTQ+ and blood bank partners as part of the FDA-funded ADVANCE Study, which contributed to the FDA approval of the use of individual risk-based assessment for all donors and the elimination of questions based on sexual orientation. Going forward, along with our partners, we will continue to provide data to the FDA in support of further progress. 

The Red Cross values the health and well-being of all blood donors across the country. To give back to our donors and help them manage their health, we are providing important health information such as blood pressure readings, pulse rate and hemoglobin levels. We see this as our responsibility to give back to the millions of donors who so selflessly roll up a sleeve and give lifesaving blood. Blood donors can access their health information in a secure Blood Donor platform, or via the Red Cross Blood Donor App. 

The Red Cross seeks to contract with suppliers in a manner that helps provide greater economic access and equity for systematically excluded entrepreneurs. Our Supplier Diversity Program is designed to strengthen our organization and our communities by proactively seeking women, minorities, disabled veterans, veterans and other business enterprise suppliers who represent the communities we serve.

Read about the Supplier Diversity Program