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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 also is the foremost volunteer emergency service
organization in the United States, with more than 1,400 chapters
nationwide, 38 Blood Services regions, 18 Tissue Services centers, plus
hundreds of field stations on U.S. military installations around the world.
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. Back to questions.
How many people work for the American Red Cross? - There are 32,262 paid staff
members and 1.39 million volunteers nationwide. Back to
questions.
Is the Red Cross a U.S. government agency? - No. The 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. Back to questions
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; 170 national Red Cross and Red Crescent
societies around the world, including the American Red Cross; and the Magen
David Adom in Israel. Back
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 comprise the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Back to questions
.In how many countries is the Red Cross represented? - There are 170 Red Cross and
Red Crescent societies and the Magen David Adom in Israel. Additionally,
there are 110 operational international Red Cross delegations carrying out
humanitarian missions in areas of disaster, armed conflict, or civil
disturbance around the world. Back to questions.
How is the American Red Cross funded? - The Red Cross depends on the
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. The Red Cross also receives reimbursements and
grants on occasion from local, state, and federal government agencies for
specific projects.
How much of the money the Red Cross spends is used to help
people? -
Ninety-two cents of every dollar spent goes to programs and services to
help those in need. The real value of every donated dollar becomes
magnified by the fact that the ratio of Red Cross volunteers to paid staff
is 43 to 1.B
How can I make a donation to the Red Cross? - Individuals or organizations
wishing to donate to the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the American Red
Cross, may send a check to: PO Box 789, Tontitown, AR 72770, or credit card
or electronic check donations may be sent by clicking this link: Donations
Who runs the American Red Cross? - 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 the 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 a 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 individual who
teaches first aid at the community center, organizes a community blood
drive, or provides comfort to families affected by a disaster. Whatever
their volunteer job, their goal is to make their community a better place to
live.
How do people volunteer to help carry out Red Cross disaster
relief activities in the U.S. and overseas? - People who wish to volunteer should contact their
local Red Cross chapter because the vast majority of volunteer
opportunities are typically found within an individual's local community.
International disaster relief workers are drawn from a pool of paid and
volunteer staff with extensive prior experience. In addition to disaster
relief activities, there are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities at
the Red Cross supporting all of the organization's services.
What's the difference between the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross? - The Red Cross is a nonprofit voluntary
organization that responds to disasters regardless of their size and scope;
FEMA is a federal government agency that helps in those disasters that
receive presidential declarations. For example, in 1995, the Red Cross
responded to more than 63,000 disasters nationwide; FEMA responded to 31
disasters. Some of FEMA's work involves community recovery, such as
rebuilding bridges, roads, and public buildings. The Red Cross provides
assistance to meet individual humanitarian needs. Also, under the federal
response plan, the Red Cross and FEMA have separate responsibilities. The
Red Cross is responsible for "mass care"-providing food, shelter,
bulk distribution of disaster relief supplies, first aid, and disaster
welfare information. FEMA is directly responsible for "information and
planning" and "urban search and rescue," and the overall
coordination of any activities conducted under the federal response plan.
How many disasters occur annually in the U.S.? - In recent years, the American
Red Cross has responded to more than 60,000 natural and man-made disasters
annually. In 1995, the Red Cross responded to 63,394 domestic disasters,
including hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, fires, hazardous
materials spills, civil disturbances, explosions, and transportation
accidents. B
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 contract 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
one in 676,000 units of blood - much less than the chances of someone
having a fatal reaction to anesthesia during surgery (one out of every
15,000-30,000 persons) or an adverse reaction to penicillin (one out of
every 30,000 persons).
What is the correct way to refer to the Red Cross in a story? - If the story concerns an
event or situation in the United States, in the first reference, use
American Red Cross; thereafter, the Red Cross is fine. If the event is
outside the United States, please contact the American Red Cross for
clarification of Red Cross involvement. Back to
questions.
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