Red Cross honors community heroes responding to severe disasters, blood donation needs and other emergencies

Join local heroes all month by making a financial donation, giving blood and volunteering

As severe disasters, blood donation needs and other emergencies continue to strain lives and livelihoods during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, people are stepping up to help through the American Red Cross.

In March, the Red Cross is honoring those who make its mission possible during its annual Red Cross Month celebration — a national tradition started nearly 80 years ago when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first national Red Cross Month proclamation in 1943 to recognize those giving back through the Red Cross. Each U.S. president has issued a proclamation ever since.

“When emergencies strike, Red Cross community heroes spring into action with relief, care, and hope — whenever and wherever they are needed,” said Gail J. McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “As we honor their dedication during our Red Cross Month celebration, we ask you to join in their commitment to provide help and hope by making a donation, giving blood, volunteering or learning lifesaving skills.”

Join Red Cross Month by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood, become a volunteer or take a class in lifesaving skills, such as first aid and CPR. On March 23, you can also join our annual Red Cross Giving Day campaign by donating at redcross.org/givingday to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.

HELP CAN’T WAIT DURING EMERGENCIES Volunteers represent 90% of the Red Cross workforce, powering its mission with blood and financial donors, community partners and people trained in lifesaving skills. In just the first two months of 2022, the constant need for our support is underscored by the intensity of our work across the country:

• Red Cross workers responded day and night to help more than 37,000 people devastated by more than 10,000 home fires across the U.S. — a flurry of emergency relief efforts following one of the most active years of severe weather disasters.
• During a first-ever national blood crisis in January and February, more than 600,000 blood and platelet donors rolled up a sleeve for someone in need.
• Through more than 10,000 emergency messages, Red Cross workers connected service members with their loved ones back home, such as helping to facilitate their return home following an emergency in the family.
• In January alone, the Red Cross provided 160,000 people with lifesaving CPR/AED and First Aid training.
• The American Red Cross also contributed more than $1 million in recent months to address food insecurity for families in Somalia, Nigeria, Kenya and South Sudan through cash assistance, clean water and other aid programs.
   

The Red Cross blood supply remains incredibly vulnerable — especially as doctors begin to resume elective surgeries previously delayed by omicron. It’s critical that individuals schedule a blood or platelet donation immediately to help ensure patients get the care they need as soon as possible.

As a thank-you, all those who come to give March 1-31 will receive a $10 e-gift card, thanks to Fanatics. Plus, those who come to donate in March will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the 2022 MLB® All-Star Game® in Los Angeles, California.*

*Terms apply. Visit rcblood.org/team for details.