Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (March 22, 2024) — The American Red Cross today announced a significant $7.35 million contribution from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The donation will support vital services including disaster response, blood donation efforts, treatment for sickle cell disease and cancer patients and outreach to underserved communities. Church leaders presented the gift Thursday as they reaffirmed their commitment to disaster preparedness and relief efforts by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding with Red Cross leadership.
“It’s a special day for us to acknowledge the relationship that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has with the American Red Cross,” said Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, First Counselor in the Church’s Presiding Bishopric. “We know that because of that collaboration and that teamwork, millions of lives have been blessed in some form or another. I’m sure in the future there will be other opportunities to collaborate to serve together to bless millions of lives.”
The urgency for such contributions has escalated in the U.S., with the frequency of severe weather events and fires rising sharply. The American Red Cross has seen the number of large-scale disaster responses nearly double over the past decade. Additionally, the country began the year facing a critical nationwide blood shortage, spurred by the lowest number of people giving blood in two decades.
“This extraordinary donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrives at a pivotal time,” said Heidi Ruster, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “Our partnership with the Church extends beyond essential funding; it's a testament to our shared dedication to serving and supporting those in dire need.”
Reaffirming partnership
Further solidifying their alliance, the Red Cross and the Church signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday. This agreement, the fifth since 2005, renews their pledge to collaborative efforts in disaster relief, preparedness and blood donation support. The bond between the American Red Cross and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traces back over a century to their joint humanitarian initiatives during The Spanish-American War.
The Church also stands as the largest single contributor to Red Cross blood drives. Annually, Church members donate approximately 97,000 units of blood across thousands of drives.
Continued tradition of generosity
This latest contribution follows a history of significant financial support from the Church to Red Cross initiatives. In 2023, the Church contributed $1 million toward the ongoing Red Cross wildfire relief efforts in Maui. Earlier that year, an $8.7 million donation was made to fund the purchase of Red Cross bloodmobiles and support programs for cancer and sickle cell disease patients.
These donations are crucial for providing essential services such as shelter, food and emotional support. The Church also provides in-kind donations, including disaster relief kits containing vital hygiene items, to those impacted by disasters. In 2023 alone, the Church donated more than $1.3 billion to charitable causes worldwide helping those in need.
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.
