Supporting the health of communities for Red Cross Month

March became Red Cross Month over 80 years ago with a proclamation from President Franklin Roosevelt. Every American president has followed ever since. This year, the American Red Cross is focusing our efforts to support the health of communities to help bridge health care access and disaster care needs in the U.S. A recent study shows that one-third of Americans lack access to regular primary care due to a shortage of providers in their local community. Plus, extreme weather is taking a toll on people’s mental health — with another study showing that 16 percent of U.S. adults experienced at least one symptom of psychological distress due to extreme weather. During this month, we are encouraging everyone to learn more about our mission and get involved.

Donate Blood. We are providing free A1C screening in March to help empower blood donors with valuable information to maintain their health and well-being. It’s the latest health insight that the Red Cross provides for blood donors, who already receive pulse, blood pressure, body temperature and hemoglobin levels.

Volunteer. Every day, people rely on Red Cross volunteers for support. Due to worsening weather, we’ve been responding on a nearly continual basis to big disasters in recent years — on top of everyday crises like home fires. Our volunteer team needs more people wanting to support their communities, and we have opportunities available to suit different schedules and skillsets.

Support our mission on Giving Day. This year’s Red Cross Month culminates with Red Cross Giving Day on March 26 — which aims to rally 30,000 supporters to help ensure families don’t face disasters alone. Every eight minutes, generous donations like yours enable the Red Cross to respond to a disaster when help can’t wait. This can include providing emergency shelter, food, relief supplies, emotional support and financial assistance for people in need. Your gift is critical as extreme disasters grow in frequency and intensity across the country — and home fires upend lives each day.

Take a class. Take a class to learn lifesaving skills like first aid, CPR and how to use an AED, so you can help in the moments that matter.

Our work to support the health of communities has been part of our mission for over 140 years — and traces its roots to our visionary founder, Clara Barton. During Barton’s 20-plus-year tenure at the Red Cross, she laid the groundwork for our community health efforts with major disaster responses like the historic 1889 floods in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where she rallied volunteers, doctors and nurses to deliver shelter, food and medical care. Today, we’re addressing critical health needs and helping to save lives in many ways. Visit redcross.org to learn more.