|
(Tuesday, February 12, 2008) ATLANTA – The American Red Cross began when Clara Barton established the organization on May 21, 1881. Since 1943, each President of the United States has proclaimed March to be “Red Cross Month” to recognize the lifesaving efforts of the organization. The annual tradition began when America was in the midst of World War II.
This once little known organization has grown into one whose logo is one of the most recognizable in the country. Many people have personal connections to the Red Cross. If they haven’t needed a blood transfusion or help after a fire or storm destroyed their home, they typically know someone else, a friend or family member, who has. More than sixty years after President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the first “March is Red Cross Month,” the American Red Cross is still going strong.
The Red Cross has been a trusted supplier of blood, plasma and platelets for more than 50 years. Today, the Red Cross provides about half of the nation’s blood. The Red Cross also participates in and operates innovative and lifesaving programs including: A Rare Blood Donor Registry and The Holland Laboratory, world renowned for cutting-edge research and development of new therapies.
While the American Red Cross and others conduct ongoing research on blood, there still is no substitute for human blood. Blood is made up of red cells, plasma and platelets, all of which are needed every day to help thousands of patients survive serious injury and illness. With only 5 percent of this country’s eligible population making regular donations, blood is often in short supply.
Giving blood is quick and easy, but many people don’t have or take the time to make donating blood a priority. For many years, the American Red Cross Blood Services Southern Region has had to bring in blood from other parts of the country to make sure hospitals in the region have enough for their patients. If each person eligible to donate blood would commit to doing so at least twice each year, the Red Cross would never experience seasonal shortages of this precious resource.
If there’s an ample supply of blood donors, then blood will be on the shelves for everyone who needs it. The only way to make sure that is a reality is to give now and give often. A person can donate blood every 56 days and platelets every two weeks, up to 24 times each year.
###
|
Significant Dates In American Red Cross Blood Services History |
| May 15, 1940 |
Early blood processing program for relief of English war victims, called Plasma for Britain, begins under direction of Dr. Charles Drew. |
| February 4, 1941 |
Red Cross begins National Blood Donor Service to collect blood for the U.S. military with Dr. Charles R. Drew, formerly of the Plasma for Britain program, as medical director. |
| August 18, 1945 |
Red Cross ends its World War II blood program for the military after collecting more than 13 million pints. |
| January 12, 1948 |
Red Cross begins its National Blood Program for civilians by opening its first collection center in Rochester, New York. |
| July 22, 1950 |
Red Cross becomes the blood agency for the military during Korean War. |
| October 30, 1967 |
American Red Cross Board of Governors receives report that its National Headquarters will host a national Rare Blood Donor Registry for blood types occurring less than once in 200 people. |
February 14, 1972
|
Red Cross calls for national blood policy that the federal government sets up in 1974 supporting standardized practices and an end to paid donations. |
| February 25, 1977 |
President Jimmy Carter makes his 51st blood donation in bloodmobile at the White House. |
October 24, 1982
|
Red Cross approves Blood Centers providing services related to tissues, paving the way for introducing its Tissue Services. |
October 21, 1983
|
American Red Cross Board of Governors approves expansion of Red Cross bone marrow program that leads to stem cell collection and distribution. |
| February 23, 1987 |
Red Cross opens its Holland Laboratory dedicated to biomedical research. |
August 3, 1992
|
First National Testing Laboratory, applying standardized tests to ensure safety of Red Cross blood products, opens in Dedham, Massachusetts. |
| March 1, 1999 |
Red Cross initiates Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) which provides early detection of HIV and Hepatitis C in blood. |
| June 1, 2003 |
Red Cross implements Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) for West Nile Virus. |
|
