President Biden Proclaims March as Red Cross Month

President Joseph Biden has proclaimed March as Red Cross Month — a tradition followed by every American president since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued the first national Red Cross Month proclamation more than 80 years ago in 1943.

THIS YEAR’S PROCLAMATION “This month, we honor the American Red Cross for its humanitarian commitment to serve communities across the United States and around the world. We celebrate each and every selfless employee and volunteer as an ambassador of American generosity, who upholds a sacred mandate to leave no person behind.” Read entire proclamation here.

THE FIRST RED CROSS MONTH PROCLAMATION When FDR issued the first presidential proclamation for Red Cross Month, the country was in the throes of World War II. It read in part:

“Whereas the war has entered a decisive stage requiring the fullest measure of individual sacrifice;

“Whereas the American National Red Cross is an auxiliary to the United States armed forces and, as such, is providing indispensable service to our troops throughout the world as well as to their families at home …

“Therefore, I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America and President of the American National Red Cross, do hereby designate the month beginning March 1, 1944 as "Red Cross Month" and earnestly beseech my fellow Americans to observe it by opening their hearts to this humanitarian appeal in order that we may keep the Red Cross at the side of our fighting men and their dependents in their hour of greatest need.”

CELEBRATING RED CROSS MONTH During the month of March this year, the Red Cross celebrates the people who make its lifesaving mission possible. These community heroes include volunteers — who represent more than 90% of the Red Cross workforce — blood and platelet donors, financial donors, people trained in lifesaving skills, and other supporters.

Their dedication and commitment are critical, enabling the Red Cross every year to:

• Respond to about 65,000 disasters across the country.

• Deliver more than 6.3 million blood products to meet the needs of patients at 2,500 hospitals and other facilities across the country.

• Train more than 5 million people in first aid, water safety and other skills that help save lives.

• Help nearly 120 million people outside the U.S. through American Red Cross disease prevention activities and disaster services.

• Provide more than 510,000 services to service members, veterans and their families.

HOW TO GET INVOVLED Join us during Red Cross Month by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood or platelets, become a volunteer or take a class in lifesaving skills, such as first aid, CPR and how to use an AED. On March 27, you can also join our annual Red Cross Giving Day campaign by donating at redcross.org/givingday to help and support people affected by disasters big and small.