Media Contact: Martin Gagliano
Telephone: (510)368-8320
martin.gagliano@redcross.org
Northern California Coastal Region residents advance legacy of Clara Barton, one of the most honored women in US history
OAKLAND (Calif.) March 1, 2023 — In times of crisis, communities across Northern California come together to support one another. This humanitarian spirit is at the heart of the American Red Cross and exemplified by volunteers and donors.
This March, the Northern California Coastal Region of the Red Cross is honoring those who make its mission possible during the 80th annual American Red Cross Month celebration — a national tradition that began in 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation. Across the region, volunteers, staff and Red Cross leadership will celebrate Red Cross Month in local proclamation ceremonies.
“When help can’t wait during emergencies, people in our region rally together to provide relief and hope for neighbors in need,” said Hanna Malak, CEO for the Northern California Coastal Region. “This humanitarian spirit is at the heart of our community, and we are proud to honor all those who make our mission possible during this year’s Red Cross Month celebration. You can join in their commitment by donating financially, volunteering, giving blood or platelets, or taking a lifesaving skills course.”
Participate in Red Cross Month by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood or platelets, become a volunteer or take a class in lifesaving skills, such as first aid, CPR and how to use an AED. On March 22, 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.
CONTINUING CLARA BARTON’S LIFESAVING LEGACY Today’s Red Cross volunteers, blood and platelet donors and supporters are advancing the lifesaving legacy of Clara Barton — one of the most honored women in U.S. history — who founded the American Red Cross more than 140 years ago. Her vision to prevent and alleviate human suffering has never wavered: Generation after generation, people have come together to adapt this timeless mission for their communities’ most urgent needs.
In the Northern California Coastal Region, the contributions of local Red Cross volunteers give hope to the most vulnerable in their darkest hours — whether it’s providing emergency shelter, food and comfort for families devastated by local disasters like wildfires, floods and home fires; helping to save the lives of others with first aid, CPR and other skills; supporting service members and veterans, along with their families and caregivers, through the unique challenges of military life; delivering international humanitarian aid; or donating essential blood for accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.
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 a series of events taking place in April across the region— register and learn more here.
PREVENT A BLOOD SHORTAGE When volunteer blood and platelet donors lend an arm this March, they’ll help keep the blood supply from dropping this spring. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31, 2023, will receive a $10 Visa® Prepaid Card by email.* Plus, they'll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa Prepaid Card – which could help toward expenses like gas or groceries. There will be five lucky winners.*
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
# # #
*Terms for both offers apply. Visit rcblood.org/help for details.