American Red Cross

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is an independent, volunteer-led organization, financially supported by voluntary public contributions and cost-reimbursement charges. It is an organization that provides services to all humanity both nationally and internationally. The International Red Cross works along side with the Red Crescent Movement and together they are the world's largest humanitarian network, with a presence and activities in almost every country.

The seven fundamental principals of the American Red Cross, Red Crescent Movement, International Red Cross, and other national societies that most be upheld and followed are:

Humanity: The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.

Impartiality: It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavors to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

Neutrality: In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

Independence: The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.

Voluntary service: It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

Unity: There can be only one Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

Universality: The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide

Services provided

• Disasters worldwide

• Educational programs that promote Health and Safety

• Provides blood to all US Hospitals

• Training of life saving skills First Aid /CPR/ water safety/ nursing programs

• Exchanges messages/communication for US military and family

• Community services that help the needy

History

Clara Barton founded American Red Cross (ARC) in Washington DC in 1881 she was the head of this organization for 23 years. The idea came to her after visiting Europe and witnessing the Swiss-International Red Cross.

1900 first obtained its first congressional charter and again in 1905. Allowing them the foundation to continue their efforts in disaster relief and mitigation and providing services and communication between the military and their families. Although the ARC is an independent volunteer led organization is a strong connection to the federal government. Its administration is based on a volunteer 50 board of governors; the president of the US is an honorary chairman of the ARC who appoints eight governors including the chairman of the board. The chairman nominates and the board elects the president of the ARC.

Throughout the years The Arc has expanded its services. Prior to WWI (1914-1918), ARC introduced programs to train in first aid, water safety and pubic health nursing programs. At this time local ARC chapters grew from 107 in 1914 to 3861 chapters in 1918. Membership grew as well from 17000 to 20 million and junior members to 11 million. Contributions in funds and material totaled to $400 million. Red Cross staffed hospitals, ambulances, and recruited nurses to serve in the military. After the war, the American Red Cross helped refugees in Europe, recruited thousands of nurses to improve the health and hygiene of rural Americans, and provided food and shelter to millions during the Depression.

During WWII their services extended to programs in safety training, accident prevention, home care for the sick and nutrition education, and assisting the military by providing packages and supplies for United States POW and allies.

In 1951 Truman established a Federal Blood Program for national defense and named the ARC the official agency. In the following years the ARC expanded its role into biomedical research and entered the new field of human tissue banking. The 1900’s it introduced a massive modernization of its operations to improve the safety of its blood products. Additional services provided such as CPR/AED training, civil defense, HIV/AIDS education, and provisional care and support to disaster victims and their survivors. It also helped the government form FEMA.

The mission of the American Red Cross was highlighted after the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, DC, gaining praise for its quick response immediately afterwards. Donations made to the Red Cross specifically for the September 11 victims and their families amounted to about $1 billion.

In 2004 the ARC was stretched to its limit by four hurricanes and a tropical storm that ravaged coastal areas in Florida and other Southwest areas in a period of two months. Nearly 26,000 Red Cross disaster workers were called out to help 400,000 victims of the storms. At the end of the year the organization sent emergency assistance to victims of the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

In 2005 the organization announces a termination of its tissue program to concentrate on disaster relief.

As of today additional to the training provided by the ARC it also prints publications to assist in the safety and education of its local community.

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