By Christine Welch, Regional Communications Director, American Red Cross Southern California Region

This March marks the 80th annual American Red Cross Month celebration — a national tradition that began in 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation.

When help can’t wait during emergencies, San Diegans rally together to provide relief and hope for neighbors in need. This humanitarian spirit is at the heart of the San Diego community, and we are proud to honor those who make our mission possible during this year’s Red Cross Month celebration.

Clara Barton’s Lifesaving Legacy

Today’s Red Cross volunteers, blood and platelet donors, and supporters are advancing the lifesaving legacy of Clara Barton — one of the most honored women in U.S. history — who founded the American Red Cross more than 140 years ago. Her vision to prevent and alleviate human suffering has never wavered: Generation after generation, people have come together to adapt this timeless mission for their communities’ most urgent needs.

Community members are invited to participate in Red Cross Month by:

• Joining a rewarding day of giving back: Home fires are the most frequent disaster response for the Red Cross, which is also working to help families stay safe by installing free smoke alarms during its “Sound the Alarm” home fire safety events. Volunteers are needed for an event on April 1 in Spring Valley with San Miguel Fire and Rescue — register and learn more at SoundtheAlarm.org/socal.
  
• Scheduling to give blood or platelets at RedCrossBlood.org. Through the generous act of donating blood or platelets, San Diegans are providing hope and healing to hospital patients in need.
• Taking a class in lifesaving skills. There are a number of training and certification classes, ranging from CPR and first aid to babysitting and water safety, that will teach you the skills you need to help prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies, and save lives.

About The American Red Cross Southern California Region 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid, and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the public to perform its mission.

The Red Cross Southern California Region proudly serves San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial counties. In addition to carrying out disaster preparedness and response programs, blood collection, health and safety training, international service programs and supporting the military community, the Southern California Region provides nutritional counseling through its Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in San Diego and helps communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters through its Prepare SoCal and Prepare San Diego initiatives.

For more information, please visit: redcross.org/SoCal or cruzrojaamericana.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Photo: Oct. 1, 2022. Glad that the worst of Hurricane Ian has passed, children and their families staying in the Red Cross shelter at the Turner Center in Arcadia, Fl., do their best to entertain themselves. From local residents whose homes have been damaged to tourists trapped by rising flood waters, Red Cross shelters are open to anyone and everyone in their time of need.

Photo by Marko Kokic/American Red Cross