Red Cross honors local community heroes during Red Cross Month celebration in March

Northwest Region residents advance legacy of Clara Barton, one of most honored women in US history.

Help can’t wait when emergencies strike-whether it’s for the family huddled on the street after a home fire, the patient needing a blood transfusion, or the military member deployed during a family crisis. In these dire moments, Red Cross volunteers, blood donors and supporters provide relief and hope, helping to ensure that their neighbors never face these and countless other crises alone.

This March, the Northwest Region of the American Red Cross is honoring those who make its mission possible during the 80th annual American Red Cross Month celebration- a national tradition that began in 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation.

“When help can’t wait during emergencies, people here in Washington state rally together to provide relief and hope for neighbors in need,” said Dan Wirth, Interim CEO for the Red Cross Northwest Region. “This humanitarian spirit is at the heart of our community, and we are proud to honor all those who make our mission possible during this year’s Red Cross Month celebration. You can join in their commitment by donating, volunteering, giving blood, or taking a lifesaving skills course.”

Participate in Red Cross Month by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood, become a volunteer, or take a class in lifesaving skills. On March 22, you can also join our annual Red Cross Giving Day campaign by donating at redcross.org/givingday to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.

Continuing Clara Barton’s lifesaving legacy

Today’s Red Cross volunteers, blood donors and supporters are advancing the lifesaving legacy of Clara Barton - one of the most honored women in U.S. history, who founded the American Red Cross more than 140 years ago. Her vision to prevent and alleviate human suffering has never wavered: generation after generation, people have come together to adapt this timeless mission for their communities’ most urgent needs.

Today in our community, this includes:

• Disaster volunteers like Phil Ohl, from Richland, Washington, who left his family over the holidays to help Hurricane Ian victims on a two-week deployment to Fort Myers, Florida, a beachfront community where the storm damage was massive.

• Blood donors like Larry Bleich, who recently organized his own blood drive with the City of Gig Harbor. Also, Lisa Gardner, a lifelong sickle cell patient in Spokane working to raise awareness surrounding the need for more donors who are Black.

• And volunteers like Elisa Kissinger from Spokane, who in her first year as a Red Crosser has served in various roles, including volunteering with our Home Fire Campaign, and serving local military veterans.

Prevent a blood shortage

When volunteer blood donors lend an arm this March, they’ll help keep the blood supply from dropping this spring. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in March will receive a $10 Visa® Prepaid Card by email.* Plus, they'll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa Prepaid Card – which could help toward expenses like gas or groceries. There will be five lucky winners.*

Upcoming blood donation opportunities March 1-31 

Cashmere: March 23, from 10-3 p.m., Cashmere High School, 329 Tigner Rd.

Wenatchee:

March 8: 11 - 4 p.m., Kings Orchard Church of Christ, 1610 Orchard Ave.

March 9:  9 - 2 p.m., Wenatchee Valley College, 1300 Fifth St.

March 21: 10 - 3 p.m., Pybus Market, 7 N Worthern St.

March 22: 11- 4 p.m., Kings Orchard Church of Christ, 1610 Orchard Ave.

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.