SOUTH CAROLINA, February 29, 2024 — The American Red Cross of South Carolina is kicking off its annual Red Cross Month celebration in March to honor local community heroes who help ensure their neighbors never face crises alone.

Red Cross Month is a national tradition that began in March 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation — and each U.S. president has followed ever since. On March 13^th, Governor Henry McMaster will proclaim March is Red Cross Month in South Carolina. Locally, city and county officials will declare March as Red Cross Month in communities across the state throughout the month.

“During Red Cross Month, we are proud to honor the people in our community who step up to support one another when help can’t wait during emergencies,” said Rod Tolbert, CEO for the Red Cross of South Carolina. “This relief and hope wouldn’t be possible without these local heroes. Please consider joining in their commitment by donating, volunteering, giving blood or platelets, or taking a lifesaving skills course.”

Join the Red Cross Month celebration by visiting redcross.org to get involved. Those who donate at redcross.org/givingday on March 27 will be part of the 10th annual Red Cross Giving Day, which aims to rally 30,000 supporters nationwide to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small. Additionally, buildings and monuments will light up Red on March 27^th to raise awareness of Red Cross Month and raise funds to support essential humanitarian services here in South Carolina and across the country.

As we approach the final weeks of winter, the public is urged to book a time to donate blood or platelets now as we continue to strengthen the blood supply heading into spring. Much like pets provide comfort and support, so does the Red Cross in local communities. As a thank-you for providing comfort during Red Cross Month, all come to give blood or platelets March 1-24 will get a $10 e-gift card to a pet supply merchant of choice, plus automatically be entered for a chance to win a $3,000 gift card. There will be five winners. See rcblood.org/Pets for details.

HELP CAN’T WAIT WHEN EMERGENCIES STRIKE Volunteers comprise 90% of the national Red Cross workforce to power its lifesaving mission, along with generous blood, platelet and financial donors; people trained in skills like first aid and CPR; and other supporters. Below are some of the ways that people in South Carolina have delivered relief with the Red Cross in times of crisis:

• Versie is a member of the Eastern SC Chapter Disaster Action Team (DAT), assisting families in the aftermath of local disasters, most of which are home fires. Every day, the Red Cross of South Carolina responds to an average of six home fires. Trained DAT volunteers, like Versie, are ready to respond to these emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• After receiving lifesaving blood transfusions following complications while pregnant, Ann Spitzer and her daughter, Erin Baird, are now avid blood donors who encourage others to give to help patients in need.
• Leif Clark, an American Red Cross-trained first responder, was on a work site in Greenville, South Carolina and was alerted that a 56-year-old man had gone into cardiac arrest while operating a forklift. Leif took swift action, quickly assessing the man and administering CPR. Due to Leif’s lifesaving actions, the man survived and is expected to make a full recovery.

JOIN A REWARDING DAY OF GIVING BACK Home fires are the most frequent disaster response for the Red Cross, which is also working to help families stay safe by installing free smoke alarms during its Sound the Alarm home fire safety events in at-risk communities. Volunteers are needed for an event throughout the spring — register and learn more at soundthelarm.org/SC

About the American Red Cross: 
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

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