NEW JERSEY, February 26, 2026 — March is Red Cross Month, and the American Red Cross New Jersey Region asks people to join in the celebration by volunteering, learning lifesaving skills, giving blood or supporting disaster relief on March 25 - Red Cross Giving Day.

What Is Red Cross Month

The Red Cross mission has been part of the country for more than half of its 250‑year history. Red Cross Month began as a national call to action during WWII for individuals to address growing humanitarian needs. Now, it’s a community tradition honoring neighbors who deliver support when help can’t wait.

“Red Cross Month is more than a moment of recognition — it’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we come together to care for one another,” said Kim Goetz, Interim Regional Executive, American Red Cross New Jersey Region. “Here in New Jersey, ordinary people make an extraordinary difference every day — whether they’re rolling up their sleeves to give blood, opening their hearts to make a generous donation, or giving their time to support neighbors in need. In life’s most difficult moments, this compassion brings relief and hope, strengthening the bonds that unite our community.”

The Red Cross will kick off the month on March 1 with a celebration of volunteers onboard the Battleship New Jersey in Camden and will include a Philadelphia Fire Boat display, honor guard, side-gun salute, and a flag raising ceremony with the battleship flying the Red Cross flag all month long.

During March, several New Jersey locations and landmarks will be illuminated RED to recognize Red Cross Month, including the Battleship New Jersey, the New Jersey State House dome, American Dream and the Dream Wheel in East Rutherford, Casinos and Resorts in Atlantic City, American Water’s corporate headquarters in Camden, and NJM Insurance Group signs at locations throughout the state.

Free A1C Testing for Blood Donors in March

The Red Cross is helping to bridge access to health care for blood donors by providing free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for diabetes and prediabetes, on all successful donations in March (one result per calendar year).

How People Can Help Make a Difference

• Become a volunteer: Help families affected by disasters in your community or across the county, welcome donors at blood drives, or assist service members and veterans.
• Give blood: Make an appointment to donate lifesaving blood or platelets.
• Learn lifesaving skills: Register for a class to learn first aid, CPR and other skills.
•  Make a financial donation: On March 25—Red Cross Giving Day—donate at redcross.org/GivingDay to help families during disasters big and small. Your gift can provide hope and urgent relief, like food, shelter and other essentials, for families who need it most.

New Jersey residents can help support the Red Cross while filing their 2025 NJ State Tax Returns. Donations can be made by checking box 75 on the NJ-1040 Form and entering Code 14 for the American Red Cross-NJ Fund.

For more information about Red Cross Month events, volunteer opportunities, blood donation and other ways to support the work of the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/NJ.

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 social media.

About the American Red Cross in New Jersey:
The American Red Cross provides programs and services to a population of 9.2 million in New Jersey. The Red Cross trains and mobilizes more than 5,500 volunteers who support the delivery of services throughout the state. In New Jersey last year, the Red Cross responded to 1,052 local disasters, mostly home fires, assisting 7,019 people in 2,681 displaced families; collected 105,255 blood donations and 4,902 platelet donations from generous donors through blood drives and Red Cross Blood Donation Centers; provided more than 10,000 military family case services with emergency messages, helping families find assistance and/or get counseling and referrals; and trained 117,106 people with life-saving skills in CPR, AED use, first aid and aquatics. For more information, please visit redcross.org/NJ.

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