preview

Essay on American Red Cross

Better Essays

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 …show more content…

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

Get Access