The following information shows our total service delivery since the beginning of the Red River floods:
* Shelters opened: 9
* Shelter Overnight Stays: 1,172
* Meals served: 47,038
* Snacks served: 135,955
* Emergency Response Vehicles on the ground: 44
* Mental Health Consultations: 2,219
* Health Services Consultations: 1,445
* Red Cross workers involved: 718 (92% volunteer)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Save a Life and Sail the Seas
Anyone, even a member of your own family, could need blood. In fact, every two seconds someone in America will need blood. Your donation is important in helping to ensure the blood supply in our community remains at an adequate level.
And, if you donate blood with the American Red Cross this spring, you could get even more in return than the amazing feeling of knowing you’ve saved up to three lives.
From April through June, each person who presents to donate blood or platelets may enter for a chance to win one of three cruises for two thanks to the generous assistance of Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Lines. So, just by taking the time to donate blood and save lives, you could soon find yourself setting sail on an incredible vacation.
To give blood, you must be at least 17 years of age, or 16 with parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds, feel well and be in good health. If you have given blood before, it must be at least 56 days since your last donation.
You don’t need a special reason to give blood…you just need your own reason. Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit redcrossblood.org to locate a blood drive or donor center near you.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Anatomy of a First Aid Kit
A well-stocked first aid kit is a handy thing to have. To be prepared for emergencies, keep a first aid kit in your home and in your car. Carry a first aid kit with you or know where you can find one. Find out the location of first aid kits where you work. First aid kits come in many shapes and sizes. You can purchase one from the RedCross.org store or your local American Red Cross chapter. Your local drug store may sell them.
You may also make your own. Some kits are designed for specific activities, such as hiking, camping or boating. Whether you buy a first aid kit or put one together, make sure it has all the items you may need. Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest. Check the kit regularly. Make sure the flashlight batteries work. Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents. The Red Cross recommends that all first aid kits for a family of four include the following:
* 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
* 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
* 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
* 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
* 5 antiseptic wipe packets
* 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
* 1 blanket (space blanket)
* 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
* 1 instant cold compress
* 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
* 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
* Scissors
* 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
* 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
* 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
* 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
* Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
* 2 triangular bandages
* Tweezers
* First aid instruction booklet
You may also make your own. Some kits are designed for specific activities, such as hiking, camping or boating. Whether you buy a first aid kit or put one together, make sure it has all the items you may need. Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest. Check the kit regularly. Make sure the flashlight batteries work. Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents. The Red Cross recommends that all first aid kits for a family of four include the following:
* 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
* 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
* 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
* 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
* 5 antiseptic wipe packets
* 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
* 1 blanket (space blanket)
* 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
* 1 instant cold compress
* 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
* 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
* Scissors
* 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
* 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
* 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
* 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
* Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
* 2 triangular bandages
* Tweezers
* First aid instruction booklet
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Be Red Cross Ready Safety Series Win Prestigious Mom’s Choice Award
The first four publications in the American Red Cross’ Be Red Cross Ready Safety Series have been named among the best in family friendly products by the Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA). The final title in the series: First Aid and Safety for Babies and Children is also available.
The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) establishes the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. The Mom’s Choice Awards® seal helps families and educators make informed decisions.
“Parents, caregivers, educators and pet owners all rely on the Red Cross to produce outstanding materials that teach them how to respond to emergencies and to help save lives,” said Judi Scherer, director of health & safety at the Northwest North Carolina Chapter. “We’re proud of this recognition and look forward to providing this life-saving information to even more people.”
The Be Red Cross Ready Safety Series was developed by a skilled team of health, animal and emergency preparedness experts and launched in 2007. Each publication is an easy-to-use quick reference guide with a step-by-step instructional DVD that demonstrates how to perform many of the skills described in the books. The winning titles are:
• Vol. 1: Family Caregiving. People who care for an elderly or chronically ill loved one will find that this reference guide helps to reduce stress and balance multiple demands. In addition to covering basic caregiving skills, it provides information on mental health, legal and financial issues. The guide even includes charts for recording vital signs and medications, as well as a tri-fold emergency contact card to keep with a loved one in case of an emergency.
• Vol. 2: Dog First Aid. Pets are often regarded as a part of the family. A skilled team of animal, emergency and safety professionals, under the guidance of Emergency and Critical Care veterinarian Deborah C. Mandell, VMD, developed this guide with the pet owner in mind. It includes first aid guidance for nearly 70 canine health conditions as well as instructions for creating a pet first aid kit and maintaining your dog’s health and well-being.
• Vol. 3: Cat First Aid. Cat lovers can curl up with this reference guide to learn how to care for their feline friends. Developed under the guidance of Emergency and Critical Care veterinarian Deborah C. Mandell, VMD, and Red Cross health, safety and emergency preparedness experts, this guide includes instructions for giving medications and recognizing emergencies, as well as tips on maintaining your cat’s health and well-being.
• Vol. 4: A Family Guide to First Aid and Emergency Preparedness. The Red Cross designed this guide to help people learn how to prepare for and manage medical emergencies and disaster situations. This reliable resource directs readers on how to handle common medical emergencies, like allergic reactions, asthma, choking, broken bones, nosebleeds. It also teaches readers how to protect loved ones and property in disaster situations such as fires or floods.
The fifth title in the series, First Aid and Safety for Babies and Children, helps parents and those responsible for watching children learn how to prevent injuries and illnesses, how to recognize and respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies, and how to childproof their homes.
All titles are available for purchase on RedCrossStore.org or from the Northwest North Carolina Chapter located at 690 Coliseum Drive, Winston-Salem.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.
The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) establishes the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. The Mom’s Choice Awards® seal helps families and educators make informed decisions.
“Parents, caregivers, educators and pet owners all rely on the Red Cross to produce outstanding materials that teach them how to respond to emergencies and to help save lives,” said Judi Scherer, director of health & safety at the Northwest North Carolina Chapter. “We’re proud of this recognition and look forward to providing this life-saving information to even more people.”
The Be Red Cross Ready Safety Series was developed by a skilled team of health, animal and emergency preparedness experts and launched in 2007. Each publication is an easy-to-use quick reference guide with a step-by-step instructional DVD that demonstrates how to perform many of the skills described in the books. The winning titles are:
• Vol. 1: Family Caregiving. People who care for an elderly or chronically ill loved one will find that this reference guide helps to reduce stress and balance multiple demands. In addition to covering basic caregiving skills, it provides information on mental health, legal and financial issues. The guide even includes charts for recording vital signs and medications, as well as a tri-fold emergency contact card to keep with a loved one in case of an emergency.
• Vol. 2: Dog First Aid. Pets are often regarded as a part of the family. A skilled team of animal, emergency and safety professionals, under the guidance of Emergency and Critical Care veterinarian Deborah C. Mandell, VMD, developed this guide with the pet owner in mind. It includes first aid guidance for nearly 70 canine health conditions as well as instructions for creating a pet first aid kit and maintaining your dog’s health and well-being.
• Vol. 3: Cat First Aid. Cat lovers can curl up with this reference guide to learn how to care for their feline friends. Developed under the guidance of Emergency and Critical Care veterinarian Deborah C. Mandell, VMD, and Red Cross health, safety and emergency preparedness experts, this guide includes instructions for giving medications and recognizing emergencies, as well as tips on maintaining your cat’s health and well-being.
• Vol. 4: A Family Guide to First Aid and Emergency Preparedness. The Red Cross designed this guide to help people learn how to prepare for and manage medical emergencies and disaster situations. This reliable resource directs readers on how to handle common medical emergencies, like allergic reactions, asthma, choking, broken bones, nosebleeds. It also teaches readers how to protect loved ones and property in disaster situations such as fires or floods.
The fifth title in the series, First Aid and Safety for Babies and Children, helps parents and those responsible for watching children learn how to prevent injuries and illnesses, how to recognize and respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies, and how to childproof their homes.
All titles are available for purchase on RedCrossStore.org or from the Northwest North Carolina Chapter located at 690 Coliseum Drive, Winston-Salem.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.
Monday, March 9, 2009
A Letter From Our Chairman
March 9, 2009
Dear Friends,
Across the United States, March is recognized as American Red Cross Month. As one of the nation’s best known humanitarian organizations, the Red Cross has been at the forefront of helping Americans prevent, prepare for and respond to large and small disasters for 127 years. Communities depend on the Red Cross in times of need, and the Red Cross depends on the support of the American people to achieve its mission.
This year the Red Cross is taking time in March to focus on the volunteers who demonstrate such compassion and generosity by supporting the Red Cross in Northwest North Carolina and around the country. As one of more than 700 chapters and blood regions across the country, we rely on these individuals to give their time and talents to help others through CPR, first aid and automated external defibrillator training, to coordinate blood drives, to respond to residential fires or make financial donations.
In the past year alone, the Northwest North Carolina Chapter responded to 216 local emergencies, assisted 458 military families and trained 9,169 people in lifesaving skills. Across this community, the Red Cross is an organization people can rely on for help, comfort, assistance and compassion. On behalf of the Northwest North Carolina Chapter, I thank you for your support to help us continue our service to those in who need us, every day.
Sincerely,
Will Dwiggins,
Chairman, Board of Directors
Northwest North Carolina Chapter
Friday, March 6, 2009
Know Your Risk, Ready Your Community and Respond with the Red Cross
As a community, we must confront our greatest risks, care for our most vulnerable and minimize the impact of disasters. As the American Red Cross, we are placing our resources where we face the greatest threats.
Across the country, American Red Cross chapters work every day to prepare communities to respond to disasters. By training volunteers; acquiring cots, blankets, vehicles and feeding supplies; and securing funding from individuals, businesses and foundations we work to ensure the resources needed to respond to well-known and regular threats, such as house and apartment fires, are available.
While each local chapter has worked for years to build each of their capacities, particular risks are so large and vulnerabilities so great that they require a different, more strategic approach. These disasters are the type that cripple a community’s infrastructure and forever change the way of life.
The things we need most won’t be available – utilities will be down, food and water scarce, fuel and transportation in short supply, communications limited, hospitals overwhelmed and relief agencies taxed. Homes will be destroyed and families separated.
Concerned about the worst, but knowing the public expects our best, the American Red Cross recognizes we must approach our planning and preparedness in a new way. We want to be Ready for the Worst. By preparing for the large events we will be even more effective at responding to disasters day to day.
Going forward, the American Red Cross plans to focus our preparedness activities to achieve:
• Organizational Readiness –volunteer recruitment, training, support and retention; material resource acquisition, placement and maintenance; the identification and creation of community partnerships for preparedness training as well as sheltering and feeding operations; the development of multi-lingual and multi-cultural capabilities; the creation, equipping and operation of chapter Emergency Operations Centers; and the development of systems and plans for preparing for, and responding to, catastrophic events.
• Individual Preparedness – public awareness campaigns to increase understanding of the need to be prepared and community education and training to increase knowledge of life-saving skills and survival tactics; and, in cases where funds can be raised, grants to communities and/or organizations to purchase needed supplies (disaster kits, etc) for those who cannot afford to do so otherwise.
• Community Partner Collaboration - Recognizing that no one agency can do this all alone, the Red Cross must seek the help and support of government agencies, other humanitarian and non-profit partners, and corporations in order to succeed in building the overall capacity that is needed together.
• Sustainability – Ensuring that programs and strategies that enhance individual citizen preparedness and community readiness can be supported long-term through increased chapter capacity is an essential focus moving forward so that gains made through programs implemented today do not become the victim of languishing resources in the future
At the same time, however, the Red Cross is far from the only agency that plays a role in this process. Together, the entire community must identify ways to strengthen its resiliency and response to our worst-case scenario disaster.
Across the country, American Red Cross chapters work every day to prepare communities to respond to disasters. By training volunteers; acquiring cots, blankets, vehicles and feeding supplies; and securing funding from individuals, businesses and foundations we work to ensure the resources needed to respond to well-known and regular threats, such as house and apartment fires, are available.
While each local chapter has worked for years to build each of their capacities, particular risks are so large and vulnerabilities so great that they require a different, more strategic approach. These disasters are the type that cripple a community’s infrastructure and forever change the way of life.
The things we need most won’t be available – utilities will be down, food and water scarce, fuel and transportation in short supply, communications limited, hospitals overwhelmed and relief agencies taxed. Homes will be destroyed and families separated.
Concerned about the worst, but knowing the public expects our best, the American Red Cross recognizes we must approach our planning and preparedness in a new way. We want to be Ready for the Worst. By preparing for the large events we will be even more effective at responding to disasters day to day.
Going forward, the American Red Cross plans to focus our preparedness activities to achieve:
• Organizational Readiness –volunteer recruitment, training, support and retention; material resource acquisition, placement and maintenance; the identification and creation of community partnerships for preparedness training as well as sheltering and feeding operations; the development of multi-lingual and multi-cultural capabilities; the creation, equipping and operation of chapter Emergency Operations Centers; and the development of systems and plans for preparing for, and responding to, catastrophic events.
• Individual Preparedness – public awareness campaigns to increase understanding of the need to be prepared and community education and training to increase knowledge of life-saving skills and survival tactics; and, in cases where funds can be raised, grants to communities and/or organizations to purchase needed supplies (disaster kits, etc) for those who cannot afford to do so otherwise.
• Community Partner Collaboration - Recognizing that no one agency can do this all alone, the Red Cross must seek the help and support of government agencies, other humanitarian and non-profit partners, and corporations in order to succeed in building the overall capacity that is needed together.
• Sustainability – Ensuring that programs and strategies that enhance individual citizen preparedness and community readiness can be supported long-term through increased chapter capacity is an essential focus moving forward so that gains made through programs implemented today do not become the victim of languishing resources in the future
At the same time, however, the Red Cross is far from the only agency that plays a role in this process. Together, the entire community must identify ways to strengthen its resiliency and response to our worst-case scenario disaster.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
MARCH MADNESS TAKES OVER RED CROSS BLOOD CENTERS
We all know that seconds can make a difference in a basketball game and they can also make a difference in someone’s life. Did you know that every two seconds someone in this country needs blood? And that you can potentially help up to three people every time you donate? The American Red Cross is once again proud to host a March Madness Blood Drive from Monday, March 2 – Tuesday, March 31 to coincide with the Women’s and Men’s ACC tourneys, as well as the NCAA. Donors will be entered into a drawing for one of four $50 gift cards to the Conference Store, home of ACC merchandise and of course, March Madness!
Join us for the competition in Greensboro or Winston-Salem:
Nussbaum Blood Center, 1501 Yanceyville Street, Greensboro
Winston-Salem Blood Center, 650 Coliseum Drive, Winston-Salem
The March Madness Blood Drive gives alumni and fans from each school the opportunity to donate blood on their school’s behalf while helping to save a life. Participating schools include Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, University of Miami, NC State, UNC, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. Celebrate March Madness…while showing support for your favorite ACC team! UNC has been the favorite with donors…will this be the year they fall in the brackets?
The Nussbaum & Winston-Salem Blood Centers will be showing their true colors with ACC decorations and special thanks to the Conference Store for their donation of four $50 gift cards, to be raffled on Friday, March 13 and Friday, March 27, at each donor site. The ACC and NCAA tournaments will also be televised in the blood centers so that donors can follow the action while donating blood.
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, (or 16 with parental permission), in generally good health, and weigh 110 pounds or more. It is safe to give blood every 56 days. Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or go to www.redcrossblood.org to schedule a donation appointment or to learn more about giving blood.
Join us for the competition in Greensboro or Winston-Salem:
Nussbaum Blood Center, 1501 Yanceyville Street, Greensboro
Winston-Salem Blood Center, 650 Coliseum Drive, Winston-Salem
The March Madness Blood Drive gives alumni and fans from each school the opportunity to donate blood on their school’s behalf while helping to save a life. Participating schools include Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, University of Miami, NC State, UNC, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. Celebrate March Madness…while showing support for your favorite ACC team! UNC has been the favorite with donors…will this be the year they fall in the brackets?
The Nussbaum & Winston-Salem Blood Centers will be showing their true colors with ACC decorations and special thanks to the Conference Store for their donation of four $50 gift cards, to be raffled on Friday, March 13 and Friday, March 27, at each donor site. The ACC and NCAA tournaments will also be televised in the blood centers so that donors can follow the action while donating blood.
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, (or 16 with parental permission), in generally good health, and weigh 110 pounds or more. It is safe to give blood every 56 days. Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or go to www.redcrossblood.org to schedule a donation appointment or to learn more about giving blood.
American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Course
April 18-May16, 2009
Price is $200, which includes your $50 registration fee. The class fee includes a Lifeguard Training book and a CPR face mask which is provided the first day of class. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive certification in Lifeguard Training & First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, & AED Essentials.
Olinda Branch
American Red Cross Lifeguard Trainer
First Christian Church Ministries
1130 N. Main St., Kernersville, NC 27284
Aquatic Phone: 336-993-6243
Fax: 336-996-6511
E-mail: aquatics@fcc-kville.org
Prerequisite Test for this class includes:
ID proving you are 15 years or older,
Swim 300 meters continuously, using the following:
-100 meters front crawl
-100 meters breaststroke
-100 meters of either or combination of the two
Swim 20m to deep, surface dive, retrieve a 10 lb brick, swim back to start, exit water w/o ladder. 1:40
Syllabus:
Sat. April 18, 9:30-11am
Prerequisite test,
Monday, April 20, 5-8:30pm
Duties, Safety, and Job
Wednesday, April 22, 4:30-7pm
Patron surveillance, Emergency Preparation and Rescue Skills
Monday, April 27, 5-8:30pm
Before Care and Rescue Skills 2
Wednesday, April 29, 4:30-7pm
Breathing and Cardiac Emergencies
Monday, May 4, 5-8:30pm
First Aid and Injuries to Muscles, Bones, and Joints
Wednesday, May 6, 4:30-7pm
Caring for Head, Neck and Back Injuries
Monday, May 11, 5-8pm
Catch-up and Review
Individual’s Appointment Time
Final: Water and Written Test
To Complete (pass) the Course:
Participants must be on time, attend all classes for the entire period, pass all water skills, and successfully pass the written exams with an 80% or better. Registration fee is non-refundable regardless of whether or not you pass the course.
How to Register:
Stop by the Family Life Center, at First Christian Church in Kernersville, front desk or log onto our website. Get and fill out a registration form. Payment of $50 (or you may pay in full, $200) must accompany registration. The remainder of the payment is due the first day of class.
Deadline for Registration is
Wednesday, April 15, 2009.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
President Barack Obama Proclaims March Red Cross Month
On Friday, February 27, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation officially designating March as American Red Cross Month. Since 1943, the President of the United States has has used this proclamation to honor and promote the services provided to the public by the Red Cross each and every day. President Obama said.
Large-scale disasters represent a major part of the work of the American Red Cross. Just as important are the tens of thousands of small-scale disasters that occur every day in communities nationwide, and the volunteers who respond to them. These efforts include supporting our military and their families, collecting and distributing blood, helping the needy, delivering health and safety education, and providing aid abroad.
Large-scale disasters represent a major part of the work of the American Red Cross. Just as important are the tens of thousands of small-scale disasters that occur every day in communities nationwide, and the volunteers who respond to them. These efforts include supporting our military and their families, collecting and distributing blood, helping the needy, delivering health and safety education, and providing aid abroad.
Disney Donates 150,000 Plush Mickeys to Bring Comfort During Disaster Relief
For a fourth year, The Walt Disney Company is donating plush toys featuring its popular Mickey Mouse character to the Red Cross in support of our disaster relief efforts in communities nationwide.
Over the last decade, the use of stuffed animals following a disaster has become a symbol of comfort for disaster victims, especially children. What was once considered a supplemental piece of the Red Cross service delivery plan has now become a priority and thanks to Disney's support, chapters will be able to continue offering comforting plush to local disaster victims.
The Mickeys, which feature a hang tag with Disney information and the Red Cross logo and Web site, are 8" in height and similar to the toys provided to you in 2007.
The Northwest North Carolina Chapter received 144 toys in the initial phase of the plan and will be given away to clients as needed. The number of toys given to each chapter was based on the number of families assisted averaged during FY05-FY07. Thank you Disney!
Monday, March 2, 2009
History of March is Red Cross Month
Each year the President of the United States proclaims March "Red Cross Month." The American Red Cross uses this opportunity to promote its services to the American public and for fund-raising. How did this tradition come about?
For the first quarter century of its existence, the Red Cross held no regular fund-raising drives. Since Clara Barton created the organization in 1881, it was largely dependent for publicity and funds on the spontaneous support of people who learned of catastrophic events and the Red Cross response to them mainly through the newspapers and by word of mouth.
This rather haphazard manner of operating changed abruptly in 1917, when the United States entered World War I. After declaring war, President Wilson ordered the American Red Cross to raise funds to support its aid to the military as mandated by the Red Cross Congressional charter. In response, the Red Cross held its first national War Fund drive in June 1917 and set a goal of $100 million, an astoundingly large sum at the time. Under the circumstances, however, the public response was immediate and overwhelming. Within a few days more than $115 million was raised. Then in December 1917, the Red Cross held its first "Christmas Roll Call," asking people to give at least $1 to join the organization's membership rolls. This drive also proved highly successful, as did an additional War Fund drive and another Roll Call in 1918, the last year of the war.
After the war, the Red Cross decided to make the Roll Call an annual, late fall membership and fund-raising drive. In addition, it conducted special appeals from time to time in response to major disasters, such as the Dust Bowl drought of the early 1930s and periodic flooding on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
In November 1941, with war in Europe, the Red Cross conducted a highly successful 25th Annual Roll Call. A few days later the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the United States entered World War II. As it had done in the previous World War, the Red Cross responded immediately by declaring a War Fund campaign. By June 1942, it had raised more than $66 million.
Rather than go back to the public with a third appeal in one year, the Red Cross decided to cancel its 1942 Roll Call. Instead, after discussions with President Franklin Roosevelt, the honorary chairman of the Red Cross, the whole month of March 1943 was declared "Red Cross Month" and a goal of $125 million was set, the biggest amount ever asked for in one campaign by any American organization. Again, the response was overwhelming. It took less than six weeks to reach the target and by June 1943 donations totaled nearly $146 million. Roosevelt called it the " . . . greatest single crusade of mercy in all of history."
This success caused the Red Cross to repeat the March drive during the remaining years of the war and then to make it the occasion of its annual membership and fund-raising efforts ever since. (As a historical footnote, the last radio speech President Roosevelt gave, a few days before his death, was in support of the 1945 Red Cross campaign.) As part of the tradition, the President customarily issues a proclamation each year declaring March as Red Cross Month.
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