Answers:
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What
does the American Red Cross do?
The
American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization,
led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims
of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for,
and respond to emergencies. It does this through services
that are consistent with its Congressional Charter
and the Fundamental Principles of the International
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The
American Red Cross is the foremost volunteer emergency
service organization in the United States, with more
that 1,300 chapters nationwide, 38 Blood Services
regions, 18 Tissue Services centers, plus hundreds
of stations on U.S. Military installations around
the world.
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When and how did the Red Cross
get started in the United States?
After
serving on one of the first humanitarian missions
of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Clara
Barton founded the American Association of the Red
Cross on May 21, 1881. A
volunteer who cared for soldiers during the Civil
War, she became deeply committed to ensuring that
the U.S. Government ratified the Geneva Convention
of 1864 and to establishing an organization in the
United States that would help alleviate human suffering.
- How
many people work for the American Red Cross?
There
are 1.33 million volunteers and 29,850 paid staff
nationwide.
- Is
the American Red Cross a U.S. government agency?
No.
The American Red Cross is a private, nonprofit human
service organization. It functions independently of
government but works closely with the government during
times of major crises, particularly in wartime and
during major disasters.
In
1900, the U.S. Congress chartered the American Red
Cross to provide services to members of the U.S. Armed
Forces and to disaster victims at home and abroad.
Operating under a revised 1905 charter, the Red Cross
continues to provide these mandatory services.
- What
organizations comprise the International Red Cross
Movement?
The
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
is a phrase that symbolizes the unity of all Red Cross
work carried out by the International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC); the International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; more than
170 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies
around the world, including the American Red Cross;
and the Magen David Adom in Israel.
- Is
the Red Crescent connected to the Red Cross?
Yes.
Although the Red Cross is not a religious symbol,
the symbol of the red crescent is used instead of
the red cross by national societies in most Islamic
countries. Both Red Cross and Red Crescent national
societies are part of the International Red Cross
and Red Crescent Movement.
- In
how many countries is the Red Cross present?
There
are more than 170 Red Cross and Red Crescent national
societies and, in Israel, the Magen David Adom. Additionally,
there are 113 operational international Red Cross
delegations carrying out humanitarian missions in
areas of disaster, armed conflict, or civil disturbance
around the world.
- How
is the American Red Cross funded?
The
American Red Cross depends on the voluntary charitable
contributions of the American people. In addition
to seeking individual donations, the Red Cross receives
fees for some of its services, participates in the
United Way and Combined Federal Campaign, and solicits
funds from corporations and foundations.
The
Red Cross also receives reimbursements and grants
on occasion form local, state, and federal government
agencies for specific projects.
- How
can I make a donation to the Red Cross?
Individuals
wishing to make a financial donation to the American
Red Cross Mid-Fairfield County Chapter may send a
check to:
American
Red Cross
Mid-Fairfield County Chapter
36 Church Lane
Westport CT 06880
Also, donors may call 1-800-HELP-Now (1-800-435-7669)
or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-257-7575 to charge
a financial contribution to the American Red Cross
to their credit card.
Individuals wishing to make a blood donation to the
Red Cross may call: 1-800-GIVE-LIFE
- Who
runs the American Red Cross?
American
Red Cross policy is set by volunteer leaders at both
the national and the local levels. Local volunteers
help determine Red Cross services and programs, basing
their decisions on community needs.
Paid
and volunteer staff at the national level help support
local Red Cross activities. An all-volunteer Board
of Governors sets national Red Cross policies under
which chapters across the country operate.
- Who
are American Red Cross volunteers?
American
Red Cross volunteers more than 1.3 million strong
come from all walks of life, ages, and backgrounds.
Red Cross volunteers assume a variety of leadership
positions within the organization, from the all-volunteer
Board of Governors, which sets policy for the organization,
to the individuals who teach first aid at community
centers, organize community blood drives, or provide
comfort to families affected by disasters. Whatever
their volunteer job, their goal is to make their community
a better place.
For
more information on how to become a volunteer, click
here.
- Is
the blood supply safe?
The
nation's blood supply is safer today than it has ever
been and is as safe as modern science and medicine
can make it.
A
person cannot contact the virus that causes AIDS by
donating blood. In fact, the risks of contracting
a bloodborne disease through transfusion pale in comparison
to the risks of not receiving a transfusion.
The chance of contracting the virus that causes AIDS
through a blood transfusion is 1 in 676,000 units
of blood. |
