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March is Red Cross Month
Celebration honors American Red Cross volunteers

March 1, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Every March during Red Cross Month, the American Red Cross takes time to thank the countless volunteers who make the work of the 127-year-old organization possible.

“We depend on the volunteers and the generosity of the American public to carry out our humanitarian mission,” said Rodney Wilson, Communications Manager for the Central Ohio Region of the American Red Cross. “Without volunteers, there would be no American Red Cross. National Red Cross Month was established to challenge everyone to get involved.”

The Red Cross delivers humanitarian and community services through nearly 750 chapters across the United States, and collects blood from volunteer donors through a network of 36 blood regions. In the last year, those chapters responded to more than 70,000 disasters, while blood regions distributed about 9.5 million blood products to 3,000 hospitals across the country.

Red Cross Month began in 1943 when Franklin D. Roosevelt appealed to the American public to assist the humanitarian organization during war-time. Since then, the President of the United States customarily issues a proclamation each spring declaring March as Red Cross Month, and encourages the public to support the Red Cross mission of helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

“We encourage all eligible donors to help celebrate our life-saving mission by giving blood during March, and to check out the various activities sponsored by Red Cross chapters state-wide,” said Wilson. “If you’re looking for a volunteer activity, chances are the Red Cross has an area of service that lines up with your passion and skills.”

How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.BloodSavesLives.org for more information. If you are at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and are in good general health, you may be eligible to donate blood. All donors need to present positive identification.

About the American Red Cross
In addition to providing blood to our community, the American Red Cross also provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts

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Media contacts

Central Ohio
Blood Services

(614) 253-2740
1-800-338-8086

Rodney J. Wilson
Communications Manager
extension 2347
e-mail

Heather Reichle
Communications Specialist
extension 2275
e-mail

Other Red Cross
lines of service
You can find your local
Red Cross chapter by
searching on redcross.org
or by checking the white
pages of your local phone
directory.

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