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The American Red Cross North Carolina Region is kicking off its annual Red Cross Month celebration in March to honor local community heroes who help ensure our neighbors never face crises alone.

Red Cross Month is a national tradition that began in March 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation — and each U.S. president has followed ever since. Locally, several North Carolina cities and counties will officially proclaim “March is Red Cross Month.”

“We are always proud to honor the people in our community who step up to support one another when help can’t wait during emergencies, and Red Cross Month is a special time to recognize their service,” said Allison Taylor, Regional CEO, North Carolina Region. “These local heroes, including our wonderful volunteers, are the ones who make our mission possible. Please consider becoming a volunteer yourself and supporting our community. You can also support the mission by giving blood or platelets, donating, or signing up for one of our lifesaving training courses.”

Visit redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood or platelets, become a volunteer or take a lifesaving skills course. Those who donate at redcross.org/givingday on March 27 will be part of the 10th annual Red Cross Giving Day, which aims to rally 30,000 supporters nationwide to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.

As a thank-you for providing comfort during Red Cross Month, all who give blood or platelets through March 24 will get a $10 e-gift card to a pet supply merchant of choice, plus automatically be entered for a chance to win a $3,000 gift card. There will be five winners. See rcblood.org/Pets for details.

Volunteers comprise 90% of the national Red Cross workforce to power its mission, along with blood, platelet, and financial donors; people trained in skills like first aid and CPR; and other supporters.

In the 2023 fiscal year, the American Red Cross North Carolina Region joined local government, first responders and community members and groups to help make a significant humanitarian impact in our communities.

Almost 6,000 volunteers dedicated more than 437,000 hours of service to the mission.

Disaster volunteers responded to about 3,000 disasters.

Volunteers provided relief and aid to nearly 10,000 people.
20,000 emergency services were provided to military members, veterans and their families.

More than 134,000 people were trained in lifesaving skills such in First Aid/CPR/AED, swimming and preparedness.