NEW JERSEY, March 1, 2023 — As climate disasters, blood donation needs and other emergencies upend lives, community heroes are stepping up to help care for one another. This March, the American 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.
The New Jersey Region will kick off Red Cross Month with a flag raising and ceremony onboard the Battleship New Jersey in Camden on Sunday, March 5, and will hold volunteer recognition events throughout the month. Several iconic New Jersey locations will be illuminated red to recognize Red Cross Month, including the New Jersey State House and the Battleship New Jersey. Red Cross flag raisings will take place in Paramus, Holmdel, Fort Lee, Parsippany and Edison, and the New Jersey Devils will recognize Red Cross Month during their March 25 game at the Prudential Center in Newark.
“The Red Cross is powered by our volunteers who give of their time, talents and compassion to help others in need every day,” said Rosie Taravella, CEO, American Red Cross New Jersey 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 volunteering, giving blood or platelets, donating, or taking a lifesaving skills course.”
Participate in Red Cross Month by visiting redcross.org to give blood or platelets, become a volunteer, make a financial donation or take a class in lifesaving skills, such as first aid, CPR and how to use an AED. On March 22, people can also join the 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.
Today in New Jersey, this includes:
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.* People can book a time to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
New Jersey residents can help support the Red Cross while filing their 2022 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 in New Jersey, 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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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 4,200 volunteers who support the delivery of services throughout the state. In New Jersey last year, the Red Cross responded to 1,012 local disasters, mostly home fires, helping 2,137 displaced families; collected 84,836 blood donations and 9,726 platelet donations from generous donors through blood drives and Red Cross Blood Donation Centers; provided more than 7,271 military family case services with emergency messages, helping families find assistance and/or get counseling and referrals; and trained 87,945 people with life-saving skills in preparedness, CPR, AED use, first aid and aquatics. For more information, please visit redcross.org/NJ and follow us on Twitter @NJRedCross.org.
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*Terms for both offers apply. Visit rcblood.org/help for details.