March is Red Cross Month

With March proclaimed as Red Cross Month by President Barack Obama, the McKean-Potter Counties American Red Cross today recognizes and thanks the supporters and volunteers whose efforts enable the Red Cross to respond to disasters down the street, across the country and around the world.

“The Red Cross works tirelessly to be there with help and hope when people need it most-and we are grateful for the public support that enables us to continue our work - here at home and abroad,” said executive director Jason Bange. “Our community and our nation depend on the Red Cross in times of need, and the Red Cross depends on the support of people in America to achieve its mission.”

“During Red Cross Month, we want to recognize the valuable supporters whose generosity makes the work of the American Red Cross possible,” Bange added. “In addition, Red Cross Month is a great time for people to get involved with the Red Cross, such as donating blood; signing up for a CPR, first aid or another Red Cross course; giving a financial gift that can really save the day when the next disaster strikes, or getting involved as a volunteer.”

The Red Cross provides shelter, food, comfort and hope to survivors of nearly 70,000 disasters each year; helps prepare communities for emergencies; is the largest single provider of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills to more than 5 million people a year; supports military members and their families, and provides international humanitarian aid.

The American Red Cross touches the lives of millions of people every year through its network of 34,000 employees and more than 600,000 volunteers in more than 2,000 locations across the United States and more than 30 countries around the world.

“The Red Cross has responded following the Haiti earthquake in January, working to turn despair into hope,” Bange said. “The Red Cross is there in Haiti now - and we are also here each day across the country for families who need us.”

Although major disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires capture national media headlines, the day-to-day work of the Red Cross often takes place in local communities. In the past year, the McKean-Potter Chapter responded to over 30 local emergencies, assisted 37 military families and trained over 1,900 people in lifesaving skills. And, people from this area donated 2, 735 units of blood.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation in 1943, recognizing the American Red Cross as a true reflection of the humanitarian and volunteer spirit and calling on Americans to “rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross.” Every president since that time has recognized the work of the Red Cross with a Red Cross Month. President Obama signed the 2010 Red Cross Month proclamation on February 25.

The McKean-Potter Counties American Red Cross has a number of activities planned for Red Cross Month in March, including: Adult CPR/First Aid training on March 13th, Child and Infant CPR training on March 22nd, Babysitter’s Training on March 27th, and the chapter will also hold its Annual Strike for Disaster Bowling Tournament on March 27th. For details and registration fees for any of these events, please contact the chapter office or go to www.mparc.org.

Listen for our Red Cross series on the LiveLine on 1490 WESB.