Did you know that the logo for the American Red Cross is one of the best recognized insignias in the world?
That the Red Cross has won more Nobel Peace Prizes than anyone?
And with good reason. After such natural disasters as Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy, their disaster relief team was one of the first on the scene, distributing much needed food and medical supplies, providing shelters to keep warm, and dispensing the necessities we often take for granted – a clean toothbrush, shampoo and deodorant. Although they respond to more than 70,000 natural disasters each year, many people do not realize how many individual families the Red Cross helps through everything from a single house fire to a critical blood donation.
In fact, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, adding up to 41,000 donations that are needed each day. The American Red Cross is the largest single supplier of blood and blood products in the U.S. A donation of one pint of blood can save up to three lives. With the temperatures dropping around the country this winter, the Red Cross is running in short supply. Might be time for all of us to get out there and donate.
The Red Cross is also integral in helping military families and their loved ones, whether they are stationed far away or in the U.S. If a family member has a crisis at home, the Red Cross provides emergency communications services to link service members with their families.
Or maybe if have taken a CPR course or First Aid, chances are it was sponsored by the American Red Cross. They provide swimming and babysitting courses, advanced childcare courses and emergency preparedness training. These are life skills we should all learn.
With March being American Red Cross Month, FirstLight Home Care would just like to say a hearty thank you to all the volunteers, blood donors and emergency personnel who help those in need.