Red Cross Month is a national tradition that began in March 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation. Every year since, the President of the United States proclaims March as “Red Cross Month,” giving us an opportunity to honor and celebrate the everyday heroes who help us fulfill our mission.

“During Red Cross Month, we recognize each and every person who has stepped up during local and national emergencies,” said Priscilla Fuentes, CEO, Red Cross Cascades Region. “We couldn’t do it without their commitment and dedication. Please consider supporting their work by donating, volunteering, or by giving blood or platelets.”

Help us celebrate Red Cross Month in March, which includes the lighting of the Morrison Bridge in Portland March 21st through the 26th to highlight the work we are doing and to mark Red Cross Giving Day March 26th .

Disaster Response

The Red Cross is responding to nearly twice as many major disasters than it did a decade ago across the country — on top of everyday crises like home fires.

Since the start of this fiscal year, the Red Cross Cascades Region has deployed 241 individuals on over 600 assignments to support those displaced by hurricanes Beryl, Helene, and Milton, by the wildfires in California and Oregon, and by snow and power outages in Southern Oregon at the in February. We still had over 15 people deployed at the beginning of March to support the aftermath of the disasters we’ve seen.

We also respond to over 750 home fires each year. That’s an average of 2 per day.

In addition to sheltering and feeding, the Red Cross provides disaster health and mental health services which are as important as ever in the face of intensifying extreme weather across the country.

Blood Collection

Weather-related disasters have impacted our blood supply. Since the beginning of the year, we’ve cancelled hundreds of blood drives, leaving 25,000 blood units uncollected. The need for blood is consistent with someone needed blood every two seconds.

Visit RedCrossBlood.org, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS to book a time to give in March and learn more about your health with our free A1C Diabetes testing for each blood or platelet donation. Additionally, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. See redcrossblood.org/March for details on both offers.

Volunteer

The American Red Cross is 90% Volunteer run with 2500 Volunteers in Cascades Region. There are plenty of ways to join us with virtual opportunities available and we will train you for free.

Financial Need

This year’s Red Cross Month culminates with Red Cross Giving Day on March 26 — which aims to rally 30,000 supporters to help ensure families don’t face disasters alone. Your financial contribution can help us continue the work we are doing in the months and years to come. Go to redcross.org/GivingDay on March 26 and support our disaster responses such as emergency sheltering, feeding, providing relief supplies, basic health care, emotional support and financial assistance.