Join the annual celebration by donating on Red Cross Giving Day (March 27),giving blood, volunteering or taking a lifesaving skills course
Submitted
The American Red Cross serving Kansas and Oklahoma is kicking off its annual Red Cross Month celebration in March to honor local community heroes who help ensure their neighbors never face crises alone.
Red Cross Month is a national tradition that began in March 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation — and each U.S. president has followed ever since. We’re proud to see Red Cross Month observed locally as well.
- Proclamations issued by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and Shawnee, Oklahoma, Mayor Ed Bolt
- Proclamations scheduled by Oklahoma State Sen. George Young, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt and others
- Skydance Bridge in Oklahoma City lit in red on March 18
“During Red Cross Month, we are proud to honor the people in our community who step up to support one another when help can’t wait during emergencies,” said Alice Townsend, Regional CEO for the Red Cross serving Kansas and Oklahoma. “This relief and hope wouldn’t be possible without these local heroes. Please consider joining in their commitment by donating, volunteering, giving blood or platelets, or taking a lifesaving skills course.”
Join the Red Cross Month celebration by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood or platelets, become a volunteer or take a lifesaving skills course. Those who donate at redcross.org/givingday on March 27 will be part of the 10th annual Red Cross Giving Day, which aims to rally 30,000 supporters nationwide to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.
As we approach the final weeks of winter, the public is urged to book a time to donate blood or platelets now as we continue to strengthen the blood supply heading into spring. Much like pets provide comfort and support, so does the Red Cross in local communities. As a thank-you for providing comfort during Red Cross Month, all come to give blood or platelets March 1–24 will get a $10 e-gift card to a pet supply merchant of choice, plus automatically be entered for a chance to win a $3,000 gift card. There will be five winners. See rcblood.org/Pets for details.
HELP CAN’T WAIT WHEN EMERGENCIES STRIKE Volunteers comprise 90% of the national Red Cross workforce to power its lifesaving mission, along with generous blood, platelet and financial donors; people trained in skills like first aid and CPR; and other supporters. Below are some of the ways that people from the Kansas-Oklahoma Region have delivered relief with the Red Cross in times of crisis:
- Delivered more than 30,000 meals in the days after severe storms left thousands without power in Tulsa
- Brought shelter, food and water, supplies and comfort to Oklahomans impacted by April tornadoes
- Responded to more than 1,100 local disasters this fiscal year
- Donated more than 60,000 units of blood
- Nearly 34,000 people have taken Red Cross training courses