According to National Today(1), March is Red Cross Month. The Red Cross Society has been saving lives since the 1800s and the American Red Cross came into being in 1881. According to statistics, the American Red Cross responds to an emergency every eight minutes. The Red Cross is also in need of volunteers so consider donating time or funds for the cause. In honor of Red Cross Month, let’s look briefly at the history of the Red Cross followed by a critical need for blood donation.
History of Red Cross Month(2)
Since the founding by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881, the American Red Cross has been dedicated to serving people in need. The American Red Cross received their first congressional charter in 1900 and to this day they are tasked by the federal government with providing services to members of the American armed forces and their families as well as providing disaster relief in the United States and around the world. In 2021, the Red Cross celebrated 140 years of compassionate service.
Donate Blood to the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis – its worst blood shortage in more than a decade, posing a concerning risk to patient care. Doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available. Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments. What is causing the blood shortage crisis? The American Red Cross indicates:
• 10 percent overall blood donation decline since March 2020.
• 62 percent drop in college and high school blood drives due to the pandemic. Student donors accounted for 25 percent of donors in 2019 accounted for just 10 percent during the pandemic.
• Ongoing blood drive cancellations due to illness, weather-related closures and staffing limitations.
• Additional factors like a surge of COVID-19 cases and an active flu season may compound the already bad situation.
Did you know the American Red Cross, which supplies 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply, has had to limit blood product distributions to hospitals as a result of the shortage? In fact, some hospitals may not receive 1 in 4 blood products they need. The need for blood is a constant and ongoing need. Locate a local Red Cross donation center and help to end the blood crisis.
Beloved, from responding to damaging hurricanes, deadly tornadoes, ravaging fires and humanitarian issues, the American Red Cross volunteers have provided food to eat, critical relief supplies and emotional support and comfort in the face of the most devastating weather disasters and deadly fires in years. Even though COVID-19 is still an issue, it has not changed the mission of the Red Cross. They provide the same types of support they always have and ensure people have a safe place to stay during disasters. The American Red Cross notes that responding to disasters is a team effort. It takes organizations, corporations, foundations and volunteers to help. If you are interested in assisting the American Red Cross visit redcross.org or cruzojaamericana.org or visit them on Twitter at @ RedCross.
Sources:
(1) National Today at www.nationaltoday.com
(2) www.Redcross.org
Next Week: Continuation
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