Frequently Asked Questions

 
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and people, guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. You will find some of the most popular questions listed in the index below.
 
 
What does the American Red Cross do?
When and how did the Red Cross get started in the United States?
How many people work for the American Red Cross?
Is the American Red Cross a U.S. government agency?
What organizations comprise the International Red Cross Movement?
Is the Red Crescent connected to the Red Cross?
In how many countries is the Red Cross present?
How is the American Red Cross funded?
How can I make a donation to the Red Cross?
Who runs the American Red Cross?
Who are American Red Cross volunteers?
Is the blood supply safe?

 

What does the American Red Cross do?

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. It does this through services that are consistent with its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The American Red Cross is the foremost volunteer emergency service organization in the United States, with more than 1,300 chapters nationwide, 38 Blood Services regions, 18 Tissue Services centers, plus hundreds of stations on U.S. military installations around the world.
 

When and how did the Red Cross get started in the United States?

After serving on one of the first humanitarian missions of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Clara Barton founded the American Association of the Red Cross on May 21, 1881. A volunteer who cared for soldiers during the Civil War, she became deeply committed to ensuring that the U.S. government ratified the Geneva Convention of 1864 and to establishing an organization in the United States that would help alleviate human suffering.
 

How many people work for the American Red Cross?

There are 1.33 million volunteers and 29,850 paid staff nationwide.
 

Is the American Red Cross a U.S. government agency?

No. The American Red Cross is a private, nonprofit human service organization. It functions independently of government, but works closely with the government during times of major crises, particularly in wartime and during major disasters. In 1900, the U.S. Congress chartered the American Red Cross to provide services to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and to disaster victims at home and abroad. Operating under a revised 1905 Charter, the Red Cross continues to provide these mandatory services.
 

What organizations comprise the International Red Cross Movement?

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a phrase that symbolizes the unity of all Red Cross work carried out by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; more than 170 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies around the world, including the American Red Cross; and the Magen David Adom in Israel.
 

Is the Red Crescent connected to the Red Cross?

Yes. Although the Red Cross is not a religious symbol, the symbol of the Red Crescent is used instead of the Red Cross by national societies in most Islamic countries. Both Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies are part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
 

In how many countries is the Red Cross present?

There are more than 170 Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies and in Israel, the Magen David Adom. Additionally, there are 113 operational international Red Cross delegations carrying out humanitarian missions in areas of disaster, armed conflict, or civil disturbance around the world.
 

How is the American Red Cross funded?

The American Red Cross depends on the voluntary charitable contributions of the American people. In addition to seeking individual donations, the Red Cross receives fees for some of its services, participates in the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign, and solicits funds from corporations and foundations. The Red Cross also receives reimbursements and grants on occasion from local, state, and federal government agencies for specific projects.
 

How can I make a donation to the Red Cross?

Individuals wishing to make a financial donation to the American Red Cross may send a check to their local Red Cross Chapter.
 
American Red Cross
Serving Muskegon, Oceana and Newaygo Counties
313 Webster Avenue
Muskegon, MI 49440
 
Also, donors may call 1-800-HELP-NOW (1-800-435-7669) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-257-7575 to charge a financial contribution to the American Red Cross to their credit card. The Red Cross is often able to accept donations of specific bulk commodities and certain services; contact any Red Cross chapter for information on bulk in-kind donations.
 
Individuals wishing to make a blood donation to the Red Cross may call their local Red Cross Blood Services office or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
 

Who runs the American Red Cross?

American Red Cross policy is set by volunteer leaders at both the national and the local levels. Local volunteers help determine Red Cross services and programs, basing their decisions on community needs. Paid and volunteer staff at the national level help support local Red Cross activities. An all-volunteer Board of Governors sets national Red Cross policies under which chapters across the country operate.
 

Who are American Red Cross volunteers?

American Red Cross volunteers more than 1.3 million strong, come from all walks of life, ages, and backgrounds. Red Cross volunteers assume a variety of leadership positions within the organization, from the All-Volunteer Board of Governors, which sets policy for the organization, to the individuals who teach first aid at community centers, organize community blood drives, or provide comfort to families affected by disasters. Whatever their volunteer job, their goal is to make their community a better place to live.
 

Is the blood supply safe?

The nation's blood supply is safer today than it has ever been and is as safe as modern science and medicine can make it. A person cannot contact the virus that causes AIDS by donating blood. In fact, the risks of contracting a bloodborne disease through transfusion pale in comparison to the risks of not receiving a transfusion. The chance of contracting the virus that causes AIDS through a blood transfusion is 1 in 676,000 units of blood.