March is Red Cross Month

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MADISON, Wis. (March 1, 2007) – For more than 60 years, March has been celebrated as Red Cross Month. President Roosevelt declared the proclamation in 1943 to remind the public the Red Cross is committed to providing blood and blood products, disaster assistance and emergency social services across America. The Red Cross is asking the community to commemorate the occasion by giving the gift of life through blood donation this month. 

Red Cross Month allows the organization an opportunity to address one of its largest challenges – the demand for blood simply outpaces the amount of actual blood donations. More than 38,000 blood donations are needed daily, and while about 60 percent of the population is eligible to give blood, only 5 percent actually do. 

“There is a growing need for blood but not enough donors, and that’s cause for concern,” said Tony Procaccio, CEO of the local Red Cross Blood Services Region. “The Red Cross needs more eligible donors to make the commitment to donate today and on a regular basis.” 

Whether it is global or community relief for victims of disasters or personal relief for those needing blood at a critical time, the Red Cross continues to be there to help. Let March serve as a reminder that blood donation can make a vital difference in somebody’s life this month. A blood donation is truly the gift of life. 

How to Donate Blood
Simply call 1.800.GIVE.LIFE (1.800. 448.3543) or visit givebloodgivelife.org to make an appointment or more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must be at least 17 years old, 16 years old with a signed consent form in Illinois and Iowa, and must weigh at least 110 pounds. 

About the Red Cross
The Mid-America Division of the American Red Cross supplies blood products to more than 250 hospitals in 10 states and across the nation. The Red Cross relies on the generosity of more than 800,000 volunteer blood donors, nearly 6,200 blood drive coordinators and more than 2,200 employees to collect the blood that helps save thousands of lives each year. The Mid-America Division is one of 10 Red Cross Blood Services Divisions located throughout the United States. Together, these divisions collect nearly half the nations’ blood supply.

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