American Red Cross Founders Day highlights the organization

MARYLAND – On May 21, 1881, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross. It received its first congressional charter in 1900 and has been dedicated to serving people in need.

Executive Director of the Delmarva Chapter, Theresa Young, tells us most people know the Red Cross for natural disasters and blood donations, but most forget house fires, which is the number one displacement. She says that 90% of the workers are volunteers and hurricane season is approaching so they need more help soon.

The Red Cross is under FDA ruling and they don’t determine who can and cannot donate. “We often hear that ‘American Red Cross will not allow me to donate blood.’ That is not our decision, we serve under the FDA, and ensure we have the right requirements for blood… In the past some people couldn’t donate, and now some of those restrictions have been lifted. We don’t make the requirements… We supply 40% of the nation’s blood supply, if we don’t follow the rules- this county would be in hurt for the need of blood.”

Young says the best way for people to get involved, is to donate your time, talent, and treasure. Saying, “If you give the time, we’re sure you have a talent, and we treasure every cent you can donate and every ounce of blood.” They say the Red Cross started by serving our armed forces and then moving on to the broader community. “We are congressionally chartered to respond within 2 hours of a disaster, and we’ve been able to do that for 143 years. We want to continue to do that.”