Red Cross Month

Every March, we honor people like you who make the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross possible — the individuals across the country who turn compassion into action, helping others in times of crisis. Our Red Cross Month celebration has been an annual tradition since 1943, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation.

We invite you and others to join the Red Cross mission by volunteering, giving blood, learning lifesaving skills or making a financial donation. You don’t have to wait until next March to help people in need. Choose one or more of the options below and join us today!

Red Cross Month News

Read a recap of our news from our March 2022 celebration, including our presidential proclamation.

Red Cross Month: Get Trained for the Moments that Matter

March 28, 2022

Thank You for Helping Families in Need on Giving Day

March 24, 2022

Celebrating Everyday Hero Blood and Platelet Donors During Red Cross Month

March 16, 2022

Thanks For Your Blood Donations When Help Can’t Wait

March 3, 2022

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

February 28, 2022

Red Cross Month — We Honor Our Volunteer Heroes

February 25, 2022

Presidential Proclamation

Since 1943, every U.S. president has proclaimed March as Red Cross Month. Read the 2022 proclamation from President Joseph R. Biden recognizing people giving back in their communities.

Did You Know?

Our Mission

The American Red Cross is a charitable organization, not a government agency. We depend on volunteers and the generosity of people like you to deliver our mission services. Learn More

Where Your Money Goes

An average of 90 cents of every dollar the American Red Cross spends is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need. Learn More

Global Red Cross Network

The American Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network. In nearly 200 countries, a Red Cross, Red Crescent or Red Crystal society works to alleviate people’s suffering. Learn More

Support for Military Families

Along with our humanitarian services, the Red Cross helps members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with and respond to the challenges of military service. Learn More

Clara Barton was 59 when she founded the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross helped survivors of the Titanic

The International Committee of the Red Cross has won the most Nobel Peace Prizes

The U.S. President is our honorary chairman

The American Red Cross has responded to 3 million U.S. disasters since 1881

The American Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood

Red Cross staff have supported service members in every U.S. conflict since the Spanish-American War

In the early 1900s, Red Cross First Aid trains traveled nationwide to teach lifesaving skills

Participate

There are many different ways you can join the Red Cross mission. Your support can help save lives and make communities safer.

Give Financially

Donate Blood

Volunteer To Help

Learn Lifesaving Skills

“You must never think of anything except the need and how you meet it.”

– Clara Barton

Our Mission

Red Cross supporters provide a beacon of hope. From helping during disasters and ensuring access to lifesaving blood, to providing training to save lives and supporting military communities, the Red Cross is there when help can’t wait. Here are some inspiring stories.

Disaster Relief

Blood

Military & Veterans

Training

International

“The Red Cross has helped us tremendously. They go out [of] their way to make sure that a person is comfortable and have what they need.”

–Keisha, tornado survivor

“In that moment when the nurse comes in saying, ‘we got your blood,’ you can finally breathe.”

–Lydia, who depends on monthly blood transfusions to treat sickle cell disease

"The volunteer dogs, they come in and people walk up. You can see the change since they get around the dogs and just start interacting. It just makes the rest of the day easier. It makes the physical therapy, the mental health, the surgeries, the hospitalizations — it makes it easier. It makes it better."

–Retired Army Major Peter Way, a wounded warrior who receives care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Disclaimer: Video produced before COVID-19.

“I felt like I accomplished one of the biggest things in my life — helping somebody get out of a dangerous situation.”

–Daniel, who saved a life with Red Cross First Aid skills

“On the harder days, we are your somebody to lean on and to listen to what's on your mind. And on the toughest days of all, you can count on us. In your cities and your streets, in your schools and clinics, you will find us. By boat or bicycle, across mountains and rivers, we will be there. We have lived through some of the hardest times. But even on the worst days of all, we are in this together. And together, we are unstoppable."

Disaster Relief

“The Red Cross has helped us tremendously. They go out [of] their way to make sure that a person is comfortable and have what they need.”

–Keisha, tornado survivor

Blood

“In that moment when the nurse comes in saying, ‘we got your blood,’ you can finally breathe.”

–Lydia, who depends on monthly blood transfusions to treat sickle cell disease

Military & Veterans

"The volunteer dogs, they come in and people walk up. You can see the change since they get around the dogs and just start interacting. It just makes the rest of the day easier. It makes the physical therapy, the mental health, the surgeries, the hospitalizations — it makes it easier. It makes it better."

–Retired Army Major Peter Way, a wounded warrior who receives care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Training

Disclaimer: Video produced before COVID-19.

“I felt like I accomplished one of the biggest things in my life — helping somebody get out of a dangerous situation.”

–Daniel, who saved a life with Red Cross First Aid skills

International

“On the harder days, we are your somebody to lean on and to listen to what's on your mind. And on the toughest days of all, you can count on us. In your cities and your streets, in your schools and clinics, you will find us. By boat or bicycle, across mountains and rivers, we will be there. We have lived through some of the hardest times. But even on the worst days of all, we are in this together. And together, we are unstoppable."

March Is Red Cross Month

March Is Red Cross Month

Red Cross Month News

Did You Know?

Our Mission

Where Your Money Goes

Global Red Cross Network

Support for Military Families

Clara Barton was 59 when she founded the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross helped survivors of the Titanic

The International Committee of the Red Cross has won the most Nobel Peace Prizes

The U.S. President is our honorary chairman

The American Red Cross has responded to 3 million U.S. disasters since 1881

The American Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood

Red Cross staff have supported service members in every U.S. conflict since the Spanish-American War

In the early 1900s, Red Cross First Aid trains traveled nationwide to teach lifesaving skills

Participate

“You must never think of anything except the need and how you meet it.”

– Clara Barton

Our Mission

“The Red Cross has helped us tremendously. They go out [of] their way to make sure that a person is comfortable and have what they need.”

“In that moment when the nurse comes in saying, ‘we got your blood,’ you can finally breathe.”

“I felt like I accomplished one of the biggest things in my life — helping somebody get out of a dangerous situation.”

“The Red Cross has helped us tremendously. They go out [of] their way to make sure that a person is comfortable and have what they need.”

“In that moment when the nurse comes in saying, ‘we got your blood,’ you can finally breathe.”

“I felt like I accomplished one of the biggest things in my life — helping somebody get out of a dangerous situation.”