This Red Cross Month we honor our community heroes who make our mission possible

By Jennifer Costa, Regional Communications Director

As climate disasters, blood donation needs and other emergencies upend lives, local community heroes are stepping up to care for one another.

This March, the American Red Cross of Northern New England 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. Locally, Governors in Vermont and Maine both recognized March as Red Cross Month as well as the municipalities of Bangor, Skowhegan, Caribou and Madawaska. 

“When help can’t wait during emergencies, Northern New Englanders rally together to provide relief and hope for neighbors in need,” said Stephanie Couturier, chief executive officer, Red Cross of Northern New England. “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 or platelets, become a volunteer or take a class in lifesaving skills, such as first aid, CPR and how to use an AED. 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 and platelet 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. 

In 2022, the American Red Cross of Northern New England:

• Was supported by 2,634 volunteers who logged 106,569 hours helping those in need
• Responded to 556 home fires assisting 2,059 individuals
• Installed 2,250 free smoke alarms for 1,608 Northern New Englanders in need
• Deployed volunteers to disasters to Alabama, Colorado, California, Georgia, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and Texas 
• Enrolled 22,429 people in First Aid/CPR and AED training (FY22)
• Collected 129,292 red cell products helping up to 387,876 patients and held 4,806 community blood drives (FY22)

OUR VOLUNTEERS HELP SAVE LIVES Home fires are the most frequent disaster response for the Red Cross.  They claim seven lives every day in the U.S. Most often, these tragedies occur in homes without working smoke alarms. To help families stay safe, the Red Cross is installing free smoke alarms during its Sound the Alarm home fire safety events in at-risk communities. On April 15, our volunteers will be in Rochester, New Hampshire for this one-day mass installation event. To sign-up for that event – or to schedule an appointment for free smoke alarm installation any time of year, visit redcross.org/EndHomeFiresNNE. 

PREVENT A BLOOD SHORTAGE When volunteer blood and platelet donors lend an arm this March, they’ll help keep the blood supply from dropping further this spring. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31, 2023, 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.*

*Terms for both offers apply. Visit rcblood.org/help for details.