The American Red Cross

Whether it is a local flood or a national disaster, there is always one organization there to help, the American Red Cross. Each year the organization turns down no one in need, benefits 70,000 people in disaster relief, along with saving three lives every time a person donates blood. The American Red Cross has evolved through the years and is still known as one of the most important nonprofit organizations in the world.

The American Red Cross has been around since 1881 and is now the nation’s leading emergency response organization. At the beginning, the organization only focused on disaster relief and helped benefit the United States Armed forces. In 1940, the blood program was created under the leadership of Dr. Charles Drew.

Founded by Clara Barton and others worked to start the organization in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 1881. In Europe, their country had a Red Cross network that followed the Civil War. After returning from Europe Barton stressed that the United States also have a Red Cross. In 1882, the organization officially ratified the Geneva Convention which protected the injured from the war. Barton was the leader of the organization for 23 years. After resigning from the position, the American Red Cross started its first congressional charter in 1900. Five years later a second charter was started.

Prior to the First World War, the organization introduced its first aid, water safety, and public health nursing programs. After the First World War, the Red Cross focused mainly on the needs of veterans and providing for them. The American Red Cross volunteers to help local communities: military and military family members, lifesaving blood and blood products, education, health and safety, and international relief. T...

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