SACRAMENTO, CA (February 28, 2022) — March is Red Cross Month, a time when the American Red Cross recognizes those who make our lifesaving mission possible — including our volunteers who represent 90% of our workforce. Throughout the 26-county California Gold Country Region, when help can’t wait, they step up to help people get the relief and care they need.

Red Cross Month began almost 80 years ago when President Franklin D. Roosevelt first proclaimed March as Red Cross Month to raise awareness of the organization’s critical humanitarian mission. Our work today is powered by volunteers, financial and blood donors, community partners and people trained in vital health and safety skills.

Each week in March, we hope to partner with local media outlets to highlight several lines of service, plus the volunteers and partners who help us carry out lifesaving work each day:

• Week 1: Volunteerism
• Week 2: Biomedical Services
• Week 3: Training Services (first aid, CPR, AED, etc.)
• Week 4: Philanthropy (with a special focus on disaster preparedness and disaster relief to align with Giving Day on March 23)
• Week 5: Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) and our annual fundraising event, The BASH.

During Red Cross Month the public can make a difference by supporting our mission in a variety of ways:

• Support our annual fundraiser, The BASH, by bidding on your favorite auction items from March 16-30, 2022
• Donate blood or plasma
• Make a monetary gift in honor of Red Cross Giving Day
• Sign up to become a Red Cross volunteer
• Register for lifesaving classes online

ABOUT THE BASH

Join us on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. PST as we celebrate Red Cross Month at THE BASH. Festivities will include a VIP reception and virtual pre-show, an online auction, and a live-streamed program at which you will hear from Gary Strong, CEO of the American Red Cross California Gold Country Region.

Attire for the event is M*A*S*H-themed medical and military uniforms. Break out your surgical scrubs, nurse uniforms, Hawaiian shirts and army apparel. Watch the festivities here and stay tuned to the site for updates, reminders, and new auction items.

THE RED CROSS…

• Manages 40% of the nation’s blood supply and regularly hosts blood drives throughout the region. (Right now, the Red Cross is experiencing the worst blood shortage in over a decade. The dangerously low blood supply levels have forced some hospitals to defer patients from major surgery, including organ transplants. Your donation is desperately needed!)
• Helps members of the U.S. military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with and respond to the challenges of military life
• Is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, working with Red Cross and Red Crescent teams to provide relief and hope when disasters and crises take hold around the world
• Provides immediate help day or night to those who experience a home fire
• Teaches disaster preparedness and lifesaving skills such as first aid, and CPR/AED training
• Installs free smoke alarms in underserved communities via our Sound the Alarm initiative
• Provides shelter, food, health and mental health services during natural disasters such as the California wildfires
• Supports and trains a massive workforce that is 90% volunteers

More 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 Twitter at @RedCross.