By Dave Skutnik

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

Red Cross Month is a national tradition thatbegan in March 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation — and each U.S. president has followed ever since. “During Red Cross Month, we are proud to honor the people in our community who step up to support one another when help can’t wait during emergencies,” said Jennifer Graham, CEO of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region. “This relief and hope wouldn’t be possible without these local heroes, our Red Cross volunteers.”

Join the Red Cross Month celebration by visiting 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 we approach the final weeks of the winter season, the public is urged to book a time to donate blood or platelets now as we continue to strengthen the blood supply heading into spring. Much like pets provide comfort and support, so does the Red Cross in local communities. As a thank-you for providing comfort during Red Cross Month, all come to give blood or platelets March 1-24 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.

HELP CAN’T WAIT WHEN EMERGENCIES STRIKE Volunteers comprise 90% of the national Red Cross workforce to power its lifesaving mission, along with generous blood, platelet and financial donors; people trained in skills like first aid and CPR; and other supporters. Below are some of the ways that people from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Region (Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties) have delivered relief with the Red Cross in times of crisis over the past year:

• Responded to more than 775 disasters, mostly home fires, providing nearly 2,500 people with emergency assistance, including financial support, recovery planning, emotional and health support and more.
• Installed more than 4,500 free, lifesaving smoke alarms in homes around the region.
• Taught more than 4,600 students in disasters preparedness through in-school programs such as The Pillowcase Project and Prepare with Pedro.
• Trained more than 60,000 people in lifesaving skill such as first aid, CPR and AED.
• Collected more than 111,000 blood donations and distributed to local hospital patients in need.
• Provided more than 2,500 services to active-duty military members, veterans and their families.