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American Red Cross
Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader
Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier
emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that
offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American
Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating
natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its
services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.
Today, in addition to domestic disaster relief,
the American Red Cross offers compassionate services in five other
areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for
military members and their families; the collection, processing and
distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational
programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and
development programs.
The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to
help their neighbors—across the street, across the country, and
across the world—in emergencies. Each year, in communities large
and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to neighbors familiar
and new—the more than half a million volunteers and 35,000
employees of the Red Cross. Through over 700 locally supported
chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to
prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and
world.
Some four million people give blood—the gift
of life—through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of
blood and blood products in the United States. And the Red Cross helps
thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by
military duty stay connected. As part of the International Red Cross
and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of 186 national societies,
the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most
vulnerable people.
An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red
Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red
Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time,
money, and blood to do its work.
The American National Red Cross is headquartered
in Washington, Gail J. McGovern is President and CEO, and Bonnie
McElveen-Hunter is Chairman of the Board of Governors.
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