LOS ANGELES, March 25, 2020 — The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region is honored to have three buildings light up red this evening for Red Cross Month – the month of March. Even in the face of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Red Cross has seen hundreds of Angelenos, many new to the organization, support the work we are doing and today’s lighting is a testament to the trust that has been put in us by the city.

From signing up to volunteer to rolling up their sleeves and donating blood, we have seen Angelenos act in so many ways – all in honor of the work of the Red Cross during challenging times. The three lightings tonight – the LAX Pylons, US Bank Tower and the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown -- join other region landmarks that have lit up, including the Santa Monica Ferris wheel, the Beverly Hills City Hall, the famous Paramount Pictures Studios water tower and the Cloudbreak Health office building. Cities across LA County also have issued proclamations such as Santa Monica, West Hollywood and Los Angeles.

SEE: Photos of city proclamations and building landmarks throughout the month

Every year, the Red Cross celebrates March as Red Cross Month, a tradition started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1943. This month is a chance to honor and celebrate the everyday heroes who help us fulfill our mission, respond to disasters, give blood and recently hand out meals to those in need in face of this pandemic.

“This month we honor our more than 6,500 local volunteers and all those in our community who have stepped up to help,” said Jarrett Barrios, CEO for Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “The past few weeks have been unprecedented. No one could have imagined the speed in which we would need help and the outpour of love and support from Angelenos.”

PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US during challenging times like these.

• Volunteer to help distribute free meals. Hundreds of volunteers are needed every weekday morning to help the Red Cross, LA County Office of Emergency Management and the Los Angeles Unified School District serve prepared meals to families and students affected by school closures. Visit redcross.org/la-covid to learn how to get involved.
• Give blood. The Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. Healthy individuals are needed to schedule an appointment to give in the weeks ahead to help patients counting on lifesaving blood throughout this pandemic. You can also help by scheduling an appointment to donate blood at redcrossblood.org.
• Help us to deliver our lifesaving mission during this public health emergency. Join us by donating at charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/support-a-blood-drive to help us save the lives of hospital patients who need life-saving blood every 2 minutes of every day; ensure that low-income public school children and their families have an uninterrupted food supply even with school closures; and to provide essential material resources to LA City and County as well as our community’s healthcare network.

For information on how to protect your well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit redcross.org/coronavirus.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.