Celebrating the American Red Cross: March is National Red Cross Month
March is National American Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross (ARC) is well-known for its work providing rescue assistance and rendering aid to victims of disasters such as hurricanes, fires, ice storms, and tornadoes. Red Cross volunteers appear—seemingly from nowhere—with food, clothing and housing for those in need. The ARC is also in constant preparation for possible epidemics such as coordinating food delivery to private homes to help prevent the spread of disease. In other words, the ARC is ready for nearly anything.
Another important role of the ARC is blood services—ensuring there is an adequate supply of safe blood and blood products. Thousands of people donate blood at donor sites in Red Cross Centers and at places of business—also staffed by the Red Cross across the country. The Red Cross processes and orchestrates the supply to those in need during emergency and regular medical care.
A Brief History of the American Red Cross
In 1881, teacher Clara Barton, helped organize the ARC. Prior to that, she managed the movement of supplies such as food and clothing, along with equipment to the soldiers and hospitals during the Civil War. This helped solidify her passion to serve others and champion the creation of a formal relief organization similar to the International Red Cross. Chartered by the United States Congress, the primary purpose of the American National Red Cross (the Charter name) is to provide volunteer aid for sick and wounded soldiers in times of war. This also includes providing communication with families of soldiers. While established by the Congress, the ARC raises its own funds, largely through private donations.
During World War I, the ARC was charged with supplying nurses to provide direct care to servicemen. A certain romanticism grew with the songs honoring the Red Cross Nurses as well as posters showing images of nurses caring for soldiers. Despite this perception, these nurses worked under hazardous conditions and were responsible for the safety and morale of the soldiers.
In subsequent wars, the ARC has been a visible source of support to the war effort and has continued to provide care for the soldiers. Nurses were now drawn from nursing schools into Red Cross Cadet Nurse Training Programs. Nurses were becoming military officers thus making the education and training for nurses more rigorous.
ARC-trained nurses are prevalent in local chapters of the organization and are an integral part of preparing for disasters and serving health care needs in the community. Many chapters prepare and train new nursing aids to provide home-based care. This is a much-needed service to our communities as responsibility to care for elders and others in need continues to grow. The ARC volunteers also provide training to the public in First-Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness.
The American Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross. So at home or abroad, whenever or wherever there is a disaster, the American Red Cross will be there to help those in need.
