American Red Cross

American Red Cross
Carol M. Highsmith · Public domain · source
Name	American Red Cross
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Region served	United States
Leader	Gail McGovern
Parent organization	International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

American Red Cross. The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and education to individuals in the United States. It was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton, who was inspired by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the work of Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and is led by Gail McGovern, who has been the president and CEO since 2008, and has worked with other notable leaders such as Elizabeth Dole and Norman Davis.

● History

The American Red Cross was established on May 21, 1881, by Clara Barton, who was a pioneering nurse and educator, and had worked with Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War. Barton was inspired by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the work of Henry Dunant, who founded the Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland. The organization's early work focused on providing relief to those affected by disasters, such as the Johnstown Flood and the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, and it worked closely with other organizations, including the Salvation Army and the YMCA. During World War I, the American Red Cross played a significant role in providing humanitarian aid to soldiers and civilians, and it worked with other organizations, such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The organization has also been involved in other major conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and has worked with notable figures such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Harry S. Truman.

● Organization

The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that is governed by a board of governors, which includes notable individuals such as Sylvia Burwell and Robert M. Gates. The organization is divided into several departments, including the Biomedical Services department, which is responsible for collecting and distributing blood donations, and the Disaster Cycle Services department, which provides relief to those affected by disasters. The organization also has a number of local chapters, which provide services and support to communities across the United States, and it works closely with other organizations, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Guard. The American Red Cross is also a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes other national societies, such as the British Red Cross and the Canadian Red Cross, and it has worked with international organizations, such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization.

● Services

The American Red Cross provides a wide range of services, including disaster relief, blood donations, and education. The organization's disaster relief services include providing shelter, food, and emotional support to those affected by disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina and the California wildfires, and it works closely with other organizations, such as the American Red Cross of Greater New York and the Los Angeles County Red Cross. The organization also provides training and certification in first aid, CPR, and water safety, and it offers courses in nursing and healthcare, which are taught by instructors from institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and the University of California, Los Angeles. Additionally, the American Red Cross provides services to members of the United States Armed Forces and their families, including emergency communication and financial assistance, and it works with organizations such as the USO and the Wounded Warrior Project.

● Disaster Relief

The American Red Cross provides disaster relief services to individuals and communities affected by disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires. The organization's disaster relief services include providing shelter, food, and emotional support, and it works closely with other organizations, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Guard. The American Red Cross also provides training and resources to help individuals and communities prepare for and respond to disasters, and it has worked with notable figures such as FEMA Director Craig Fugate and National Guard General Frank Grass. During major disasters, such as Hurricane Harvey and the California wildfires, the American Red Cross deploys teams of volunteers and staff to provide relief and support, and it works with other organizations, such as the Salvation Army and the Habitat for Humanity.

● Blood Donations

The American Red Cross collects and distributes blood donations to hospitals and medical facilities across the United States. The organization's Biomedical Services department is responsible for collecting and testing blood donations, and it works closely with other organizations, such as the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The American Red Cross collects approximately 40% of the nation's blood supply, and it provides blood to patients in need of transfusions, including those with sickle cell disease and cancer, who are treated at institutions such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the MD Anderson Cancer Center. The organization also provides education and resources to promote blood donation and to encourage individuals to become blood donors, and it has worked with notable figures such as Dr. Charles Drew and Dr. Peter Agre.

● International Services

The American Red Cross provides international services to support humanitarian efforts around the world, and it works closely with other national societies, such as the British Red Cross and the Canadian Red Cross. The organization's international services include providing relief to those affected by disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, and it works with international organizations, such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization. The American Red Cross also provides training and resources to help individuals and communities prepare for and respond to disasters, and it has worked with notable figures such as Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon. Additionally, the organization provides support to refugees and migrants, and it works with organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Rescue Committee, and it has provided aid to countries such as Haiti and Syria during times of crisis. The American Red Cross is also a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes other national societies, and it has worked with international institutions, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Society.