Red Cross Month kicks off to honor community heroes

NEW JERSEY — The American Red Cross New Jersey Region will celebrate March is Red Cross Month by honoring local community heroes who help ensure their neighbors never face crises alone.

Red Cross Month is a national tradition that began in March 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation — and each U.S. president has followed ever since.

“During Red Cross Month, we are proud to honor the people in our community who step up to support one another when help can’t wait during emergencies,” said Rosie Taravella, CEO, American Red Cross New Jersey Region. “This relief and hope wouldn’t be possible without these local heroes. Please consider joining in their commitment by getting involved with the Red Cross.”

Join the Red Cross Month celebration by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood or platelets, become a volunteer or take a lifesaving skills course.

Those who donate at redcross.org/givingday on March 27 will be part of the 10th annual Red Cross Giving Day, which aims to rally 30,000 supporters nationwide to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.

As the final weeks of winter approach, the public is urged to book a time to donate blood or platelets now as we continue to strengthen the blood supply heading into spring. Much like pets provide comfort and support, so does the Red Cross in local communities. A

s a thank-you for providing comfort during Red Cross Month, all come to give blood or platelets March 1-24 will get a $10 e-gift card to a pet supply merchant of choice, plus automatically be entered for a chance to win a $3,000 gift card. There will be five winners. See rcblood.org/Pets for details.

Volunteers comprise 90% of the national Red Cross workforce to power its lifesaving mission, along with generous blood, platelet and financial donors; people trained in skills like first aid and CPR; and other supporters. Below are some of the ways that Red Cross volunteers have helped make a difference.

In New Jersey last year, the Red Cross:

• Responded to 1,047 local disasters, mostly home fires, assisting 7,222 people in 2,476 New Jersey families displaced by those disasters;
• Collected 96,981 blood donations and 8,496 platelet donations from generous donors through blood drives and Red Cross Blood Donation Centers in New Jersey;
• Provided more than 9,058 military family case services with emergency messages, helping families find assistance and/or get counseling and referrals; and
• Trained 114,387 people with life-saving skills in CPR, AED use, first aid and aquatics