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{{short description|American nonprofit humanitarian organization}}{{shortlead|date=May 2024}}{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2019}}{{Use American English|date=June 2019}}

factoids

OUR FEDERAL CHARTER >URL=HTTPS://WWW.REDCROSS.ORG/ABOUT-US/WHO-WE-ARE/HISTORY/FEDERAL-CHARTER.HTML PUBLISHER=AMERICAN RED CROSS ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20220207152007/HTTPS://WWW.REDCROSS.ORG/ABOUT-US/WHO-WE-ARE/HISTORY/FEDERAL-CHARTER.HTML, live, 501(c)(3) organization| purpose = Humanitarian aid| headquarters = American Red Cross National Headquarters | location_city = Washington, D.C.| location_country = United States| region_served = United States| leader_title = President| leader_name = Gail J. McGovern| main_organ = Board of GovernorsWEBSITE=WWW.REDCROSS.ORG/ ACCESS-DATE=FEBRUARY 9, 2023ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230209214417/HTTPS://WWW.REDCROSS.ORG/DONATIONS/HOW-THE-RED-CROSS-SPENDS-YOUR-DONATIONS.HTML#:~:TEXT=FOR%20EXAMPLE%2C%20IN%20FISCAL%20YEAR,TOTAL%20EXPENSES%20OF%20%242.83%20BILLION., live, www.redcross.org}}}}The American National Red Cross,WEB, May 2007, Congressional Charter of the American Red Cross,www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4240124_charter.pdf, November 11, 2015, July 13, 2018,www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4240124_charter.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20180713021140www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4240124_charter.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20180713021140www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4240124_charter.pdf, live, is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education in the United States. It is the designated US affiliate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the United States movement to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.The organization offers services and development programs.WEB, What We Do {{!, Red Cross {{!}} Disaster Relief, Emergency Management |url=http://www.redcross.org/what-we-do |access-date=September 18, 2015 |website=American Red Cross |archive-date=July 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719122054www.redcross.org/what-we-do |url-status=live }}{{toclimit|3}}

History and organization

{{See also|American Red Cross National Headquarters}}{| style="margin:auto”thumbleftMemphis, Tennessee>Memphis TNMemphis, Tennessee>Memphis TN|     thumbupright=0.81917World War I>WWIWorld War I>WWI|     thumbU.S. stamp commemorating Red Cross 50th anniversary, issue of 1931)

Founders

Clara Barton established the American Red Cross in Dansville, New York, on May 21, 1881, and was also the organization’s first president. She organized a meeting on May 12 of that year at the house of Senator Omar D. Conger (R, MI).WEB, The Federal Charter of the American Red Cross,www.redcross.org/museum/history/charter.asp,www.redcross.org/museum/history/charter.asp," title="web.archive.org/web/20120730005834www.redcross.org/museum/history/charter.asp,">web.archive.org/web/20120730005834www.redcross.org/museum/history/charter.asp, July 30, 2012, April 18, 2007, American Red Cross, Fifteen people were present at the meeting, Conger and Representative William Lawrence (R, OH) (who became the first vice president) to discuss the start of the American Red Cross.WEB, 2001, Everyone has a Ball at Rhapsody in Red 2001,www.trianglearc.org/ARCweb/FD/2001ballreview.htm,web.archive.org/web/20010713123929/https://www.trianglearc.org/ARCweb/FD/2001ballreview.htm, July 13, 2001, February 10, 2019, American Red Cross, WEB, McCormicfirst= K. Todd, A Brief History of Logan County, Ohio,www.co.logan.oh.us/museum/Logan_County_History/body_logan_county_history.html,www.co.logan.oh.us/museum/Logan_County_History/body_logan_county_history.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20060225101010www.co.logan.oh.us/museum/Logan_County_History/body_logan_county_history.html,">web.archive.org/web/20060225101010www.co.logan.oh.us/museum/Logan_County_History/body_logan_county_history.html, February 25, 2006, April 18, 2007, Logan County, The first local chapter was established in 1881 at the English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dansville.WEB, Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS),cris.parks.ny.gov/e, dead,webarchive.loc.gov/all/20190404141934cris.parks.ny.gov/, April 4, 2019, November 1, 2015, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Searchable database, WEB , WEB, Accompanying photographs,cris.parks.ny.gov/Uploads/ViewDoc.aspx?mode=A&id=36492&q=false,web.archive.org/web/20160423105552/https://cris.parks.ny.gov/Uploads/ViewDoc.aspx?mode=A&id=36492&q=false, April 23, 2016, Jane Delano (1862–1919) founded the American Red Cross Nursing Service on January 20, 1910.BOOK, Haug, Hans, Humanity for all : the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Gasser, Hans-Peter, Perret, Françoise, Robert-Tissot, Jean-Pierre, Henry-Dunant, Institut, 1993, 978-3-258-04719-5, 261, P. Haupt,

Clara Barton

Barton founded the American chapter after learning of the Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1869, she went to Europe and became involved in the work of the International Red Cross during the Franco-Prussian War. She was determined to bring the organization to America.WEB, 1907, The Story of My Childhood,www.wdl.org/en/item/7315/, October 9, 2013, World Digital Library, March 30, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210330064618/https://www.wdl.org/en/item/7315/, live, WEB, Biography: Clara Barton,www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/clara-barton, 2023-10-26, National Women’s History Museum, en, File:Clara Barton1.jpg|thumb|180px|Clara BartonClara BartonBarton became President of the American branch of the society, known as the American National Red Cross in May 1881 in Washington. The first chapters opened in upstate New York, where she had connections.WEB, Marks, Mary Jo, Clara Barton in Dansville, 1866 and 1876–1886,www.dansville.lib.ny.us/clara.html, July 1, 2009, Dansville Historical Society, December 25, 2016,www.dansville.lib.ny.us/clara.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20161225040937www.dansville.lib.ny.us/clara.html,">web.archive.org/web/20161225040937www.dansville.lib.ny.us/clara.html, live, John D. Rockefeller and four others donated money to help create a national headquarters near the White House.NEWS, September 13, 1889, Article, 1, Cheney Sentinel, Cheney, Washington, The abolitionist Frederick Douglass, a friend of Barton’s, offered advice and support as she sought to establish the American chapter of Red Cross. As Register of Deeds for the District of Columbia, Douglass also signed the American Red Cross’s original Articles of Incorporation.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}(File:American Red Cross Administrative Headquarters.JPG|thumb|American Red Cross Administrative Headquarters in Washington, D.C.)The next major disaster was the Johnstown Flood on May 31, 1889. Over 2,209 people died, and thousands more were injured in or near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in one of the worst disasters in U.S. history.WEB, Ohio, American Red Cross of Northern, 2018-05-31, Clara Barton Answers the Call to America’s Largest Flood,nohredcross.org/2018/05/31/clara-barton-answers-the-call-to-americas-largest-flood/, 2023-11-22, NOHredcross, en, (File:The Hospital Clipper Vol. 4 No. 4, June 1970 (IA hospitalclipper45197007).pdf|alt=ARC Clipper 1970.pdf|thumb|ARC Clipper Circa 1970)

Progressive reform

Many within the organization became frustrated with Barton’s leadership style, and Barton resigned from the organization in 1904.WEB, The Origins of the Red Cross: National Organization · The Red Cross and Its Nurses in Connecticut during World War I · Digital History 511: Theory & Practice,library.ccsu.edu/dighistFall16/exhibits/show/the-red-cross-and-its-nurses-i/the-origins-of-the-red-cross--, 2023-11-22, library.ccsu.edu, Professional social work experts took control and made the group a model of Progressive Era scientific reform.WEB, Little, Branden, August 2013, Review of Jones, Marian Moser. The American Red Cross from Clara Barton to the New Deal,www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=39722, H-SHGAPE, H-Net Reviews, August 20, 2013, April 25, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210425073849/https://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=39722, live, New leader Mabel Thorp Boardman consulted with senior government officials, military officers, social workers, and financiers. William Howard Taft was especially influential. They imposed an ethos of “managerialism”, transforming the agency from Barton’s cult of personality to an “organizational humanitarianism” ready for expansion.BOOK, Moser Jones, Marian,dx.doi.org/10.1353/book.21077, The American Red Cross from Clara Barton to the New Deal, 2012, 10.1353/book.21077, 9781421407388, Among the notable disasters of the Progressive Era that featured American Red Cross involvement was the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. The New York City chapter joined with the Charity Organization Society to provide funds to survivors and the dependents of those who perished.JOURNAL, Cimino, Eric, Spring 2019, Walking Titanic’s Charity Trail in New York City: Part One,www.academia.edu/38628387, Voyage: Journal of the Titanic International Society, 107, 109–110, April 17, 2019, January 6, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210106102949/https://www.academia.edu/38628387/Walking_Titanics_Charity_Trail_in_New_York_City_Part_One_Gramercy_Park_and_Madison_Square_Park, live,

Leadership

Recent presidents and CEO s include Gail J. McGovern, Elizabeth Dole, Bernadine Healy, Mary S. Elcano, Mark W. Everson and John F. McGuire.WEB, Leaders of the American Red Cross,www.redcross.org/museum/history/leaders.asp, August 22, 2011, American Red Cross, December 30, 2007,www.redcross.org/museum/history/leaders.asp," title="web.archive.org/web/20071230085412www.redcross.org/museum/history/leaders.asp,">web.archive.org/web/20071230085412www.redcross.org/museum/history/leaders.asp, live, In 2007, U.S. legislation clarified the role for the Board of Governors and that of the senior management in the wake of difficulties following Hurricane Katrina.NEWS, Strom, Stephanie, April 18, 2007, American Red Cross Announces New Chief, The New York Times,www.nytimes.com/2007/04/18/us/18cnd-cross.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin, April 18, 2007, April 25, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210425073846/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/18/us/18cnd-cross.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin, live, Members of the board of governors other than the chairman are elected at the annual meeting of chapter delegates. The board appoints the chief executive officer.WEB, 36 U.S. Code § 300104.Board of governors,www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/36/300104, September 15, 2020, cornell.edu, May 14, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210514014329/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/36/300104, live,

Ranking

File:American Red Cross Headquarters, Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, Del (72640).jpg|thumb|ARC Wilmington, DelawareWilmington, DelawareAs of April 2023, the American Red Cross scores four out of four stars at Charity NavigatorWEB, Overall Score & Rating,www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3277, November 30, 2017, Charity Navigator, April 22, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210422153853/https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3277, live, and A− at CharityWatch.WEB, CharityWatch Report,www.charitywatch.org/ratings-and-metrics/american-red-cross/360, November 30, 2017, CharityWatch, August 28, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190828234430/https://www.charitywatch.org/ratings-and-metrics/american-red-cross/360, live, In 1996, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, an industry magazine, released the results of the largest study of charitable and nonprofit organization popularity and credibility. The study showed that ARC was ranked as the third “most popular charity/non-profit in America” of over 100 charities researched, with 48% of Americans over age 12 choosing “Love” or “Like A lot” to describe it.JOURNAL, December 13, 1996, The Charities Americans Like Most And Least, The Chronicle of Philanthropy,

Notable members

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|

• Inez Mee Boren, organizing chairwoman of the Lindsay Strathmore Branch of the American Red CrossBOOK, Binheim, Max,archive.org/details/womenofwestserie00binh, Women of the West; a series of biographical sketches of living eminent women in the eleven western states of the United States of America, Elvin, Charles A, 1928, August 8, 2017, {{PD-notice}}
• Ida F. Butler, National Nursing Director from 1936 to 1939WEB, Ida F. Butler, Red Cross Nurse · Hartford Women in World War I · Digital History 511: Theory & Practice,library.ccsu.edu/dighistFall16/exhibits/show/hartford-women-in-world-war-i/ida--butler--red-cross-nurse, library.ccsu.edu, September 13, 2020, April 25, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210425073847/https://library.ccsu.edu/dighistFall16/exhibits/show/hartford-women-in-world-war-i/ida--butler--red-cross-nurse, live, JOURNAL, October 1938, News from the Field,ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.28.10.1260, American Journal of Public Health and the Nation’s Health, en, 28, 10, 1260–1268, 10.2105/AJPH.28.10.1260, September 12, 2020, April 25, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210425073846/https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.28.10.1260, live,
• Naomi DeutschBOOK, Bullough, Vern L.,books.google.com/books?id=KDWiFMNlOfIC&pg=PA71, American Nursing: A Biographical Dictionary:, Volume 3, 2000, Springer Publishing Company, 978-0-8261-1147-0, 71, September 9, 2017,
• Sally S. Emory, vice-chairwoman Board of American Red Cross
• Inglis Fletcher, originator of Junior Red Cross Hospital program in Spokane Public Schools
• George Ryerson Fowler, founder of the Brooklyn Red Cross (1884)WEB, George Ryerson Fowler,www.whonamedit.com/doctor.cfm/2561.html, whonamedit.com, April 19, 2020, May 20, 2018,www.whonamedit.com/doctor.cfm/2561.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20180520054621www.whonamedit.com/doctor.cfm/2561.html,">web.archive.org/web/20180520054621www.whonamedit.com/doctor.cfm/2561.html, live,
• Laura E. Frenger, Executive, Home Service Sec. American Red Cross for eight years
• Thora B. Gardiner, secretary of the County Chapter of the American Red Cross
• Nellie A. Goodhue, on Board of Directors of Local Chapter American Red Cross
• Sharlot Mabridth Hall, American Red Cross
• Wilhelmina Harper, American Red Cross Chicago
• Laura Adrienne MacDonald, memberNEWS, 1982, Crescenta Business Pioneer Succumbs to Heart Failure – 18 Apr 1982, Sun • Page 170, 170, Los Angeles Times,www.newspapers.com/clip/13661149/the_los_angeles_times/, September 9, 2017, September 9, 2017,web.archive.org/web/20170909233817/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13661149/the_los_angeles_times/, live,
• Virginia Keating Orton, member of Board of American Red Cross
• Genevieve H. Sanford, chairwoman of Red Cross Home Service Aberdeen
• M. Elizabeth Shellabarger, Director of Red Cross Nursing in Albania and Montenegro (1921–22)
• Nancy Ellicott Tomlinson, 3 years with Red Cross in Pacific Area, Executive Secretary, American Red Cross
• Violet Richardson Ward, taught water safety classesWEB, Biologue of Founder Violet Richardson-Ward,www.caminorealregion.org/about/our-history/biologue-founder-violet-richardson-ward, dead,www.caminorealregion.org/about/our-history/biologue-founder-violet-richardson-ward," title="web.archive.org/web/20171005100911www.caminorealregion.org/about/our-history/biologue-founder-violet-richardson-ward,">web.archive.org/web/20171005100911www.caminorealregion.org/about/our-history/biologue-founder-violet-richardson-ward, October 5, 2017, October 4, 2017,
• Gertrude B. Wilder, secretary of the San Bernardino chapter of the American Red CrossNEWS, 1955, Gertrude B. Wilder – 15 Apr 1955, Fri • Page 7, 7, The San Bernardino County Sun,www.newspapers.com/clip/14200979/the_san_bernardino_county_sun/, October 5, 2017, October 6, 2017,web.archive.org/web/20171006013337/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14200979/the_san_bernardino_county_sun/, live,
• Basilio J. Valdes, first Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1939. Was Deputy Commissioner for the American Red Cross in Europe after World War I.

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Blood services

Blood donation

ARC supplies roughly 45% of the donated blood in the United States, which it sells to hospitals and regional suppliers.WEB, Murphy, Heather, September 11, 2006, The Business of Blood, Does the Red Cross sell your frozen plasma?,www.slate.com/id/2149359/, March 8, 2012, Slate, September 7, 2011,www.slate.com/id/2149359," title="web.archive.org/web/20110907064727www.slate.com/id/2149359,">web.archive.org/web/20110907064727www.slate.com/id/2149359, live, Community-based blood centers supply nearly 50% and approximately 5% is collected directly by hospitals.WEB, About,americasblood.org/about/, 2020-07-12, America’s Blood Centers, en-US, July 14, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200714061725/https://americasblood.org/about/, live, In December 2004, ARC completed its largest blood processing facility in the United States in Pomona, California, on the campus grounds of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}File:American Red Cross® - panoramio.jpg|American Red Cross (Oklahoma City)File:Children in the American Red Cross Children’s Hospital, Villa Dini. Naples.jpg|Children in the American Red Cross

Tissue services

For more than 50 years, ARC provided allograft tissue for transplant through sales in its Tissue Services Program. It cared for thousands of donor families who donated tissue and sold the tissue to more than 1 million transplant recipients. At the end of January 2005, ARC ended its Tissue Services program to focus on its primary missions of Disaster Relief and Blood Services.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Plasma services

A leader in the plasma industry, ARC provides more than one quarter of the nation’s plasma products. Red Cross Plasma Services provides plasma products that are reliable, cost-effective and as safe as possible.In February 1999, ARC completed its “Transformation”, a $287 million program that re engineered Red Cross Blood Services’ processing, testing, and distribution system and established a new management structure.As of 2011, ARC was no longer in the Plasma Services industry. It supplies Baxter BioSciences with items for manufacturing plasma products.PRESS RELEASE, Baxter and the American National Red Cross Agree to Terminate Contract Manufacturing Arrangement for Plasma Products, March 1, 2005,www.baxter.com/press_room/press_releases/2005/03-01-05-arc.html, October 27, 2015,baxter.com/press_room/press_releases/2005/03-01-05-arc.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20121101122437baxter.com/press_room/press_releases/2005/03-01-05-arc.html,">web.archive.org/web/20121101122437baxter.com/press_room/press_releases/2005/03-01-05-arc.html, November 1, 2012, Baxter.com,

Nucleic acid testing

On March 1, 1999, ARC became the first U.S. blood bank to implement a nucleic acid testing (NAT) study. This process is different from traditional testing because it looks for the genetic material of HIV and hepatitis C (HCV), rather than the body’s response to the disease.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}The NAT tests for HIV and HCV has been licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These tests detect the genetic material of a transfusion-transmitted virus like HIV without waiting for the body to form antibodies, potentially offering an important time advantage over current techniques.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Leukoreduction

(File:Letter from the American Red Cross showing where donation was sent.jpg|left|thumb|396x396px|Letter of American Red Cross)File:Reliant Astrodome in January 2014.jpg|thumb|343x343px|Houston Astrodome, a major ARC location in Texas]]Leukocytes (white blood cells) help fight off foreign substances such as bacteria, viruses, and abnormal cells. In fact, these foreign leukocytes in transfused red blood cells and platelets are often not well tolerated and have been associated with some types of transfusion complications. Leukocytes in stored blood products can have a variety of biological effects, including depression of immune function, which can result in organ failure and death.JOURNAL, Barrington, K., Fergusson, D., Hebert, P., Joseph, L., Lee, S., Walker, R., 2003, Clinical Outcomes Following Institution of Universal Leukoreduction of Blood Transfusions for Premature Infants, JAMA, 289, 15, 1950–56, 10.1001/jama.289.15.1950, 12697797, free, Because whole blood is rarely used for transfusion and not kept in routine inventory, leukoreduced red blood supplies are critical. After collection, the whole blood is separated into red cells and plasma by centrifugal. A preservative solution is mixed with the red cells and the component is filtered with a leukoreduction filter. The shelf life of this product is 42 days.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}ARC is moving toward system-wide universal prestorage leukocyte reduction to improve patient care. From 1976 to 1985, the FDA received reports of 355 fatalities associated with transfusion, 99 of which were excluded from further review because they were unrelated to transfusion or involved hepatitis or HIV/AIDS.JOURNAL, Grimes, Kaler, Obezrz, Sazama, Shriver, 2003, Reports of 355 Transfusion-Associated Deaths: 1976 Through 1985, Transfusion, 30, 583–90, 10.1046/j.1537-2995.1990.30790385515.x, 2402771, 7, 22631788, While the FDA has not yet made leukoreduction a requirement, ARC took a leading role in implementing this procedure with a goal of leukoreducing all blood products. More than 70% of ARC red blood cell components undergo prestorage leukoreduction, a filtering process performed soon after blood is donated.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Research

ARC operates the Jerome H. Holland blood laboratory in Rockville, Maryland.WEB, American Red Cross Holland Laboratory,www.newswise.com/institutions/view/American-Red-Cross-Holland-Laboratory-1523, 2024-05-21, www.newswise.com, en, WEB, Hensley, Scott, September 9, 2011, Babesia In The Blood? There Should Be A Test For That,www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2011/09/09/140339796/babesia-in-the-blood-there-should-be-a-test-for-that, live, NPR,

Cellular therapies

File:American Red Cross - War Work - Red Cross Building in Washington dedicated. Photo shows a field kitchen and Red Cross nurses, part of the parade held in Washington at the dedication of American Red Cross headquar(...) - NARA - 20803272.jpg|thumb|American Red Cross hospital trainhospital trainARC offers cellular therapies; this treatment involves collecting and treating blood cells from a patient or other blood donor. The treated cells are introduced into a patient to help revive normal cell function, replace cells that are lost as a result of disease, accidents or aging, or to prevent illnesses from appearing.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Training services

Training Services is one of the five divisions of the American Red Cross, responsible for providing health and safety training to the general public as well as the workforce. In fiscal year 2017 the American Red Cross trained 2.28 million people how to save lives through their First Aid, CPR or AED courses, water safety and care giving programs. There are a wide variety of course offerings available:WEB, Red Cross Training {{!, Take a Class {{!}} Red Cross |url=https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class |access-date=2018-10-30 |website=American Red Cross |language=en |archive-date=April 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426090148www.redcross.org/take-a-class |url-status=live }}

• Administering Emergency Oxygen
• Advanced Life Support
• Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Auto-Injector
• Asthma Inhaler Training
• Babysitter’s Training
• Basic Life Support
• Bloodborne Pathogens Training
• California Child Care
• CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers
• Emergency Medical Response
• First Aid/CPR/AED (English and Spanish)
• Hands-Only CPR
• Learn to Swim
• Lifeguard Management
• Life guarding
• Longfellow’s WHALE Tales
• Nurse Assistant Training
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support
• Responding to Emergencies
• Safety Training for Swim Coaches
• Title 22 (California First Aid for Public Safety Personnel)
• Water Safety
• Wilderness and Remote First Aid

In addition to basic level certifications in the above courses, the American Red Cross also offers Instructor level courses and Instructor Trainer (IT) level courses. Instructor level courses are designed to teach participants how to become instructors for American Red Cross courses, whereas Instructor Trainer courses (also known as Instructor Trainer Academies) are designed to certify current instructors to become Instructor Trainers, or people who can teach Instructor level courses.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}Training Services has an online store where you can purchase supplies including First Aid Kits, CPR key chains, flashlights, and emergency radios.WEB, First Aid Kits, Emergency Essentials, & Survival Kits {{!, Red Cross Store |url=https://www.redcross.org/store |access-date=2018-10-30 |website=American Red Cross |language=en |archive-date=April 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425125529www.redcross.org/store |url-status=live }}

2018 mannequin change

In early 2018 all courses offered by the American Red Cross switched to Brayden/BigRed Manikins. The investment cost $1.8 million and increased participants’ understanding of the purpose of compressions during CPR. These Manikins have LED lights that mimic blood flow through the body and to the brain, giving students instant visual feedback on their technique.

Course offerings

There are three entities that can run American Red Cross courses; The American Red Cross, Authorized Providers, and Licensed Training Providers.WEB, Licensed Training Provider {{!, Instructor Training {{!}} Red Cross |url=https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/licensed-training-authorized-providers |access-date=2018-10-31 |website=American Red Cross |language=en |archive-date=April 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425125530www.redcross.org/take-a-class/licensed-training-authorized-providers |url-status=live }} The American Red Cross runs many of its own courses that can be conducted on land such as First Aid/CPR/AED and Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers. There are a number of courses that require aquatic facilities to run, such as Lifeguarding and Water Safety Instructor. These courses are generally left to Authorized Providers (colleges, government agencies, fire departments, community centers) and to Licensed Training Providers (LLC. or Inc.).{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Scientific Advisory Council

The Scientific Advisory Council is a panel including over 50 nationally recognized medical, scientific, aquatics, and academic experts from across the United States.WEB,www.redcross.org/take-a-class/scientific-advisory-council, Science Behind Our Programs | Science Advisory Council | Red Cross, www.redcross.org, October 31, 2018, April 25, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210425125530/https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/scientific-advisory-council, live,

Disaster services

File:FEMA - 2332 - Photograph by Robert A. Eplett taken on 01-17-1994 in California.jpg|thumb|American Red Cross providing assistance during the 1994 Northridge earthquake1994 Northridge earthquakeFile:GF1997RedCross.jpg|thumb|An American Red Cross vehicle distributing food to Grand Forks, North Dakota victims of the 1997 Red River flood ]](File:FEMA - 58087 - Photo by George Armstrong taken on 07-09-2012 in Florida.jpg|thumb|Satellite communications after tropical storm Debby in Lake City, Florida, 2012)Each year, ARC responds to more than 60,000 disasters, including house or apartment fires (making up the majority), hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions and other natural and man-made disasters.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}Although ARC is not a government agency, its authority to provide disaster relief was formalized when, in 1905, it was granted a congressional charter to “carry on a system of national and international relief in time of peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on measures for preventing the same.” The charter is not only a grant of power but also an imposition of duties and obligations to the nation, to disaster victims and to the people who support its work with their donations.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}Disaster relief focuses on emergency disaster-caused needs. When a disaster threatens or strikes, ARC provides shelter, food and health and mental health services (Psychological First Aid) to address basic human needs. The core of American Red Cross disaster relief is assistance to individuals and families to enable them to resume their normal daily activities. The organization provides translation and interpretation when necessary, and maintains a database of multilingual volunteers.WEB, American Red Cross – Community Services,www.redcross.org/more/commserv/,www.redcross.org/more/commserv/," title="web.archive.org/web/20070825162841www.redcross.org/more/commserv/,">web.archive.org/web/20070825162841www.redcross.org/more/commserv/, August 25, 2007, April 18, 2008, American Red Cross, At the local level, ARC chapters operate volunteer-staffed Disaster Action Teams.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}ARC feeds emergency workers of other agencies, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provides blood and blood products to disaster victims and helps those affected by a disaster to access other resources. It is a member of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and works closely with other agencies such as Salvation Army and Amateur Radio Emergency Service with whom it has memorandums of understanding.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}ARC works to encourage preparedness by providing important literature on readiness. Many chapters also offer free classes to the general public.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}A major misconception among the general public is that ARC provides medical facilities, engages in search and rescue operations or deploys ambulances. Instead, first responder roles are left to government agencies as dictated by the National Response Framework. Red Cross societies outside the U.S. may provide such functions; for example, the Cruz Roja Mexicana (Mexican Red Cross) runs a national ambulance service. Furthermore, American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) look similar to ambulances.WEB, October 22, 2018, American Red Cross Vehicles,flickr.com/photos/incidentresponse/albums/72157719094355802, 14 May 2021, Flickr, August 5, 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210805214525/https://flickr.com/photos/incidentresponse/albums/72157719094355802, live, These ERVs instead are designed for bulk distribution of relief supplies, such as meals, drinks and other relief supplies. Although ARC shelters usually assign a nurse to the facility, they are not equipped to provide medical care beyond first aid.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Disaster Services Workforce

The Disaster Services Workforce (DSW) system enrolls volunteers from ARC chapters into a national database of responders, classified by their ability to serve in one or more activities within groups. Services include feeding and sheltering (“mass care“) warehousing, damage assessment, accounting, communications, public affairs, counseling and others. Responders complete training for the specific services they want to offer, first aid and CPR.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

National Response Framework

As a National Response Framework support agency, ARC shelters, feeds and provides other types of emergency relief to victims of disasters. ARC is a co-lead with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the mass care portion of Emergency Support Function 6. ARC and FEMA share responsibility for planning and coordinating mass care services with FEMA. ARC has responsibilities for other Emergency Support Functions, such as providing health and mental health services.WEB, October 22, 2010, FEMA And American Red Cross Partnership Will Strengthen Mass Care During A Disaster,www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=53086, dead,www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=53086," title="web.archive.org/web/20110108184648www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=53086,">web.archive.org/web/20110108184648www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=53086, January 8, 2011, Federal Emergency Management Agency, WEB, National Response Framework,www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/index.htm#, dead,www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/index.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20110820060504www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/index.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20110820060504www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/index.htm, August 20, 2011, August 18, 2011, Federal Emergency Management Agency,

Disaster responses

1908 Messina earthquake

In 1908 an earthquake and tsunami devastated the area surround the Strait of Messina. The American public donated nearly $1 million to the American Red Cross which was sent to Italy via the State Department, alongside $800,000 in public funds.BOOK, IRWIN, JULIA F., MAKING THE WORLD SAFE : the american red cross and a nation’s humanitarian awakening., 2017, OXFORD University Press, 978-0-19-061074-6, 40, 959033970, The decision to use the State Department to distribute funds, rather than sending them directly to the Italian Red Cross, was indicative of the organization’s shift away from the International Red Cross movement and towards US interests.BOOK, The American Red Cross from Clara Barton to the New Deal, 2012, 9781421408231, 138–139, 10.1353/book.21077, Jones, Marian Moser, This was the ARC’s first major response to an international civilian disaster.In December of that year two Americans, Harry Bowdoin and Charles King Wood, were in Taormina when the earthquake occurred. Mr. Bowdoin was spending the winter in Taormina with his invalid mother and Mr. Wood was an artist who had lived in Taormina for several years. These two men entered upon the work of relief answering the call of the Red Cross.[110] Afterwards, the Italian government conferred upon the two men the honorific of “Cavaliere”. Bowdoin and Wood were two of the twenty-one recipients of the American Red Cross silver medal for “specially meritorious service” for that year.Before 1908, the U.S. Congress had only rarely allocated funds for natural disasters; likewise, the level of funding given to Italy was also unprecedented.BOOK, IRWIN, JULIA F., MAKING THE WORLD SAFE : the american red cross and a nation’s humanitarian awakening., 2017, OXFORD University Press, 978-0-19-061074-6, 220, 959033970, The ARC’s aid to Italy carried important diplomatic meaning for the U.S. due to the large number of Italian emigrants who left for the U.S. every year, and Italy’s growing importance within Europe.BOOK, IRWIN, JULIA F., MAKING THE WORLD SAFE : the american red cross and a nation’s humanitarian awakening., 2017, OXFORD University Press, 978-0-19-061074-6, 40–41, 959033970, ARC leaders viewed relief efforts in Italy as a way to demonstrate U.S. care for the nation. Alongside this, disaster relief was seen as a tool for social reform. A fundamental goal of the ARC’s assistance was to address the perceived threat of pulverization within an area that a large proportion of U.S. immigrants came from.BOOK, IRWIN, JULIA F., MAKING THE WORLD SAFE : the american red cross and a nation’s humanitarian awakening., 2017, OXFORD University Press, 978-0-19-061074-6, 41, 959033970,

Role in the United States occupation of Nicaragua

As a response to the Nicaraguan resentment of the United States occupation of Nicaragua, U.S. officials employed the use of humanitarian relief in attempt to improve relations. $10,000 was given to the ARC by Philander Knox to provide relief in the form of blankets, clothing, and food to captured soldiers from José Santos Zelaya’s army.BOOK, IRWIN, JULIA F., MAKING THE WORLD SAFE : the american red cross and a nation’s humanitarian awakening., 2017, OXFORD University Press, 978-0-19-061074-6, 46, 959033970, ARC leaders believed that humanitarian relief would be more effective in fostering goodwill and creating stability than any other action. In 1912 the State and War Department became concerned with increasing reports of hunger within the country. As a result, Knox asked the ARC to supply food for non-combatants as well. American forces worked with the ARC to open railroads to distribute humanitarian supplies to Managua, Granada, Léon, and other key cities.BOOK, IRWIN, JULIA F., MAKING THE WORLD SAFE : the american red cross and a nation’s humanitarian awakening., 2017, OXFORD University Press, 978-0-19-061074-6, 47, 959033970, Although the ARC was a non-governmental agency, its humanitarian efforts lined up with American foreign policy, becoming a useful diplomatic mechanism for softening the effects of American military intervention and securing its political interests.BOOK, IRWIN, JULIA F., MAKING THE WORLD SAFE : the american red cross and a nation’s humanitarian awakening., 2017, OXFORD University Press, 978-0-19-061074-6, 72, 959033970,

Role in World War One

Prior to the United States entry into World War One, the American Red Cross was a neutral organization aiding both the allied and central powers.BOOK, Moser Jones, Marian, The American Red Cross from Clara Barton to the New Deal, 2013, xx, However, when the United States joined the allied powers, the American Red Cross aid to the central powers ended immediately. On May 10, 1917, President Wilson created the American Red Cross War Council to aid funding initiatives and direct the activities of the organization. Throughout the war, the Council raised $400 million.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}The American Red Cross in the war was a quasi-state organization and a non-governmental organization, as it was not officially part of the United States Government. The American Red Cross in the war focused principally on overseas civilian aid and not domestic disaster relief. The American Red Cross spent “less than one million dollars on domestic disaster relief, in comparison to the $120 million devoted to relief overseas.BOOK, Moser Jones, Marian, The American Red Cross from Clara Barton to the New Deal, 2013, 166, ” The American Red Cross during the war provided food, employment, housing, and medical assistance to millions of civilians displaced by the war. During the course of the war, over one-third of the population of the United States joined the organization and in 1917 and 1918 alone around $400 million was raised.BOOK, Irwin, Julia, Making the World Safe, 2013, 5, Amongst its initiatives was the Pisa Village in Italy, a humanitarian housing project, begun in 1918,{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}} and manufacture of “500,000 dressings” to treat wounds using use of Sphagnum moss in place of cotton, based on the research of John William Hotson.JOURNAL, Thieret, John W., January 1956, Bryophytes as economic plants,link.springer.com/10.1007/BF02985319, Economic Botany, en, 10, 1, 75–91, 10.1007/BF02985319, 0013-0001, JOURNAL, Hotson, J. W., 1918-08-30, Sphagnum as a Surgical Dressing,www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.48.1235.203, Science, en, 48, 1235, 203–208, 10.1126/science.48.1235.203, 17779474, 1918Sci....48..203H, 0036-8075, The power of the American Red Cross was soon recognized by the Government which began to see “the value of overseas aid as a tool of statecraft”.BOOK, Irwin, Julia, Making the World Safe, 2013, 7, The American Red Cross was increasingly being used as an arm of the state to facilitate the realization of American foreign policy objects. Principally, the American Red Cross enhanced America’s image abroad while also disseminating American practices and values throughout Europe. It intervened in European health and welfare practices by introducing American methods. Moreover, after the Bolsheviks seized power in Russia, President Wilson used the American Red Cross as a diplomacy tool to aid the White forces. Wilson believed that food was the “real thing” to combat Bolshevism and ordered the American Red Cross to distribute food and material relief to Bolshevik opponents in the Russian civil war.BOOK, C. Herring, George, From Colony to Superpower, Oxford University Press, 2011, 423, The American Red Cross, therefore, served the dual functions of assisting the realization of United States foreign policy objectives and promoting international humanitarianism.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}At the end of the war the League of Red Cross Societies was created. This international society of national Red Cross organizations was spearheaded by the United States and sought the “improvement of health, the prevention of disease, and the mitigation of suffering throughout the world.“BOOK, Moser Jones, Marian, The American Red Cross from Clara Barton to the New Deal, 2013, 174,

Role in Spanish Flu Outbreak of 1918

During the flu pandemic of 1918, American Red Cross chapters were instrumental in establishing both preventive measures and treatment plans within their local communities throughout the United States. The degree to which the Red Cross was involved with pandemic planning was largely dependent on the needs of the community and the actions of local public health authorities, but large cities and their surrounding communities were often dependent on the organization in mitigating the spread of the disease.JOURNAL, Jones, Marian Moser, 2010, The American Red Cross and Local Response to the 1918 Influenza Pandemic: A Four-City Case Study, Public Health Reports, 125, Suppl 3, 92–104, 10.1177/00333549101250S312, 0033-3549, 2862338, 20568571, Active initiatives undertaken by local chapters included the sewing of masks for local distribution, the production and promotion of educational pamphlets, the establishment of localized motor corps, and providing door-to-door nursing and social services. In some cities, the motor corps functioned both in providing auxiliary ambulatory services and expanding the logistical dispersion of manpower and supplies. The contribution of nurses, goods, services, and local administrative guidance offered by the American Red Cross provided local community leaders with essential support in combating the pandemic.

Interwar European reconstruction

(File:Loading A.R.C. (American Red Cross) ships at Piraeus LCCN2014716078.jpg|thumb|An American Red Cross Ship in Greece {{circa|1920–1925}})Unlike European relief organization, which had to invest much of their time in fund-raising efforts, the American Red Cross’s collaboration with Herbert Hoover’s American Relief Administration had funding on a different scale and well as popular and governmental support at its disposal.JOURNAL, Kind-Kovács, Friederike, 2016-01-02, The Great War, the child’s body and the American Red Cross, European Review of History: Revue européenne d’histoire, en, 23, 1–2, 34, 10.1080/13507486.2015.1121971, 1350-7486, free, 147431478, With its membership of over 33 million Americans in 1918 (20% of the U.S. population) and its designation as the official U.S. organization for foreign relief by the Geneva Treaty and Congressional mandate, the ARC was neither wholly private nor an official governmental organization.JOURNAL, lrwin, Julia F., July 2009, Nation Building and Rebuilding: The American Red Cross in Italy During the Great War, The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, 8, 3, 408, 10.1017/s1537781400001328, 1537-7814, 156519587, This quasi-governmental support allowed the ARC to secure credibility and support that was unattainable for other relief organizations such as the YMCA or Knights of Columbus.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}The ARC’s private funding allowed for more flexibility than government organizations, its leaders chose to support U.S. foreign policy in many ways but also often pursued aims that differed from that of the military or political policymakers.JOURNAL, lrwin, Julia F., July 2009, Nation Building and Rebuilding: The American Red Cross in Italy During the Great War, The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, 8, 3, 409, 10.1017/s1537781400001328, 1537-7814, 156519587, Hundreds of ARC workers pursued permanent reform of Italian social politics, rather than emergency relief they founded nursing schools, developed child welfare projects and waged anti-tuberculosis crusades.JOURNAL, lrwin, Julia F., July 2009, Nation Building and Rebuilding: The American Red Cross in Italy During the Great War, The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, 8, 3, 411, 10.1017/s1537781400001328, 1537-7814, 156519587, In introducing these American ideas about public health and social welfare, the ARC acted as what historian Daniel T. Rodgers had referred to as ‘brokers of ideas’, who facilitated transatlantic exchange on the methods and philosophies of social reform.BOOK, RODGERS, Daniel T.,books.google.com/books?id=SmRoOw503hYC, Atlantic Crossings, 1998, Harvard University Press, 978-0-674-00201-2, 4, en, Work in the ARC allowed American citizens to contribute to transatlantic social reform discourse. ARC workers built upon and expanded the already existing Italian efforts for social reform. ARC reformers embraced a strategic cultural sensitivity as they attempted to work with Italians and help them to take control of their own social institutions. By presenting their reforms as mutual exchange rather than imposed change, ARC workers hoped Italians would willingly accept them.JOURNAL, lrwin, Julia F., July 2009, Nation Building and Rebuilding: The American Red Cross in Italy During the Great War, The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, 8, 3, 439, 10.1017/s1537781400001328, 1537-7814, 156519587, U.S. reformers in the ARC continued to believe in the necessity of American intervention in ‘reforming’ Italy.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Russian revolution

In July 1918 the ARC established a hospital at the entrance of Vladivostok harbor, followed by eight more hospitals during that year. Vladivostok Refugee hospital was opened in early 1919 in former naval barracks and had up to 250 beds. The ARC provided drugs and medical supplies to Russian hospitals during the civil war.NEWS, Khwaja, Barbara, May 26, 2017, Health Reform in Revolutionary Russia, Socialist Health Association,www.sochealth.co.uk/2017/05/26/health-reform-revolutionary-russia/, May 26, 2017, August 30, 2017,web.archive.org/web/20170830101010/https://www.sochealth.co.uk/2017/05/26/health-reform-revolutionary-russia/, live,

Role in World War Two

In the 1940s during World War II, the Red Cross enrolled 7.5 million volunteers along with 39,000 paid staffWEB, World War II and the American Red Cross,www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/National/history-wwii.pdf, American Red Cross, October 30, 2021, February 5, 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220205083903/https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/National/history-wwii.pdf, live, and more than 104,000 nursesWEB,www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/National/history-full-history.pdf, Red Cross History, February 5, 2022, February 20, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190220063248/https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/National/history-full-history.pdf, live, for military service, prepared 27 million packages for prisoners of war, shipped more than 300,000 tons of supplies, and collected 13.3 million pints of blood plasma for the armed forces.WEB, Our History,www.redcross.org/about-us/who-we-are/history.html, redcross.org, July 27, 2021, February 5, 2012,www.redcross.org/museum/pdfs/100dates.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20120205175815www.redcross.org/museum/pdfs/100dates.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20120205175815www.redcross.org/museum/pdfs/100dates.pdf, live, By the time World War II ended in September 1945, American society contributed over $784 million in support of the American Red Cross.

2005 hurricanes

File:FEMA - 15337 - Photograph by Andrea Booher taken on 09-10-2005 in Texas.jpg|thumb|Volunteers assist Hurricane victims at the Houston AstrodomeHouston AstrodomeForecasting a major disaster before the landfall of Hurricane Katrina, ARC enlisted 2,000 volunteers to be on a “stand by” deployment list.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}According to ARC, during and after hurricanes Katrina, Wilma and Rita, they opened 1,470 shelters and registered 3.8 million overnight stays. 300,000 American Red Cross workers (82% unpaid) provided sheltering, casework, communication and assessment services throughout these events. In addition, 346,980 comfort kits (which contain hygiene essentials such as toothpaste, soap, washcloths and toys for children) and 205,360 cleanup kits (containing brooms, mops and bleach) were distributed. The organization served 68 million snacks and meals. Disaster Health services provided 596,810 contacts, and Disaster Mental Health services 826,590 contacts. Emergency financial assistance was provided to 1.4 million families, including 4 million people. Katrina was the first natural disaster in the United States that ARC utilized their “Safe and Well” family location website.WEB, August 2006, A Year of Healing,www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/Katrina_OneYearReport.pdf,www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/Katrina_OneYearReport.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20120121200321www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/Katrina_OneYearReport.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20120121200321www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/Katrina_OneYearReport.pdf, January 21, 2012, April 18, 2007, The American Red Cross, WEB, June 30, 2006, Hurricane Season 2005,www.redcross.org/news/ds/hurricanes/2005/facts.html,www.redcross.org/news/ds/hurricanes/2005/facts.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20060501000858www.redcross.org/news/ds/hurricanes/2005/facts.html,">web.archive.org/web/20060501000858www.redcross.org/news/ds/hurricanes/2005/facts.html, May 1, 2006, American Red Cross,

Comair Flight 5191

Following the crash of commuter aircraft Comair Flight 5191, the Bluegrass Area Chapter and ARC Critical Response Team (CRT) members were dispatched. This was the worst air disaster in the United States since American Airlines Flight 587. Family and Friends reception centers were established near the arrival and departure airports and in Cincinnati, site of the Comair headquarters. Local chapters in Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky and California provided health and mental health services to family and friends not present in Lexington. Volunteers also staffed the local Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Lexington, Kentucky.WEB, Lawson, Katie, August 26, 2006, Red Cross Responds to Commercial Jet Crash in Kentucky,www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_5601,00.html, dead,www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_5601,00.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20070103190555www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_5601,00.html,">web.archive.org/web/20070103190555www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_5601,00.html, January 3, 2007, April 18, 2007, American Red Cross,

2007 tornadoes

(File:FEMA - 28112 - Photograph by Mark Wolfe taken on 02-06-2007 in Florida.jpg|thumb|ARC is set up in a community hard hit by the tornadoes, Florida, 2007.)

Florida

In response to the Central Florida Tornado of February 2007, ARC began a large scale disaster relief operation. At least seven shelters were opened. 40,000 pre-packaged meals were sent by ARC, and across the nation, almost 400 American Red Cross volunteers were deployed to assist with local relief efforts. The organization deployed more than 30 Emergency Response Vehicles for community food and supply distribution.WEB, American Red Cross Mobilizes Resources in Central Florida: List Your Loved Ones on Safe And Well Website,www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0,1077,0_314_6152,00.html, dead,www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0%2C1077%2C0_314_6152%2C00.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20081222020109www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0%2C1077%2C0_314_6152%2C00.html,">web.archive.org/web/20081222020109www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0%2C1077%2C0_314_6152%2C00.html, December 22, 2008, October 27, 2015, RedCross.org, WEB, Hackett, Alexandra, Volunteers descend on Central Florida,www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=48717,www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=48717," title="web.archive.org/web/20070302083028www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=48717,">web.archive.org/web/20070302083028www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=48717, March 2, 2007, April 18, 2007, tampabays10.com,

Kansas

ARC immediately responded to the May 2007 Tornado Outbreak in central Kansas by setting up emergency shelters for displaced residents and started the distribution of food, water and relief supplies.PRESS RELEASE, American Red Cross responding to Midwest Tornadoes, May 5, 2007,www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0,1077,0_314_6674,00.html, October 27, 2015, dead,www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0%2C1077%2C0_314_6674%2C00.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20071211072021www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0%2C1077%2C0_314_6674%2C00.html,">web.archive.org/web/20071211072021www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0%2C1077%2C0_314_6674%2C00.html, December 11, 2007, RedCross.org,

Minneapolis bridge collapse

Following the collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge, the Twin Cities Area Chapter responded with their Disaster Action Team to provide food, information and comfort. A family service center was set up, and mental health counselors deployed to numerous locations.NEWS, Boone, Beth, August 3, 2007, Red Cross Chapter Serves as Focal Point of Response Efforts, The American National Red Cross,www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_6898,00.html, dead, August 28, 2007,www.redcross.org/article/0%2C1072%2C0_312_6898%2C00.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20070811091118www.redcross.org/article/0%2C1072%2C0_312_6898%2C00.html,">web.archive.org/web/20070811091118www.redcross.org/article/0%2C1072%2C0_312_6898%2C00.html, August 11, 2007, and PRESS RELEASE, Red Cross on Scene of Minneapolis I-35W Bridge Collapse,www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_6893,00.html, The American National Red Cross, August 2, 2007, August 28, 2007,www.redcross.org/article/0%2C1072%2C0_312_6893%2C00.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20070818164046www.redcross.org/article/0%2C1072%2C0_312_6893%2C00.html,">web.archive.org/web/20070818164046www.redcross.org/article/0%2C1072%2C0_312_6893%2C00.html, August 18, 2007, dead, Donations contributed for this cause totaled US$138,368 and covered the cost of servicesNEWS, O’Connor, Debra, August 24, 2007, How to give wisely after Minnesota’s disasters, Pioneer Press,www.twincities.com/collapse/ci_6713803, live, August 25, 2007,www.twincities.com/collapse/ci_6713803," title="web.archive.org/web/20071107111724www.twincities.com/collapse/ci_6713803,">web.archive.org/web/20071107111724www.twincities.com/collapse/ci_6713803, November 7, 2007, but not $65,000 in unexpected expenses.NEWS, Louwagie, Pam, September 10, 2007, Bridge Disaster Fund tops $564,000, Star Tribune, Avista Capital Partners,www.startribune.com/462/story/1411927.html, dead, September 10, 2007,www.startribune.com/462/story/1411927.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20071101142811www.startribune.com/462/story/1411927.html,">web.archive.org/web/20071101142811www.startribune.com/462/story/1411927.html, November 1, 2007, Weather and the collapse placed 70% of Minnesota counties in federal primary or contiguous disaster areas during that August.Minnesota designated counties are found in three places: PRESS RELEASE, USDA Designates 24 Minnesota Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas,www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/newsReleases?area=newsroom&subject=landing&topic=edn&newstype=ednewsrel&type=detail&item=ed_20070807_rel_1497.html, Farm Service Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, August 7, 2007, August 25, 2007, October 4, 2008,www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/newsReleases?area=newsroom&subject=landing&topic=edn&newstype=ednewsrel&type=detail&item=ed_20070807_rel_1497.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20081004103620www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/newsReleases?area=newsroom&subject=landing&topic=edn&newstype=ednewsrel&type=detail&item=ed_20070807_rel_1497.html,">web.archive.org/web/20081004103620www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/newsReleases?area=newsroom&subject=landing&topic=edn&newstype=ednewsrel&type=detail&item=ed_20070807_rel_1497.html, dead, and WEB, Preston, Steven C., August 22, 2007, Disaster Declaration #10991,www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage/serv_mn_scan_10991.pdf,www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage/serv_mn_scan_10991.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20070925195456www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage/serv_mn_scan_10991.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20070925195456www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage/serv_mn_scan_10991.pdf, September 25, 2007, August 25, 2007, U.S. Small Business Administration, and PRESS RELEASE, Designated Counties for Minnesota Severe Storms and Flooding (Disaster Summary For FEMA-1717-DR, Minnesota),www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=39090, Federal Emergency Management Agency, August 23, 2007, updated August 28, 2007, August 28, 2007,www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=39090," title="web.archive.org/web/20070929100206www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=39090,">web.archive.org/web/20070929100206www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=39090, September 29, 2007, live,

2023 Hawaii wildfires

Following the 2023 Hawaii wildfires in early August of 2023, the ARC began a large scale disaster relief operation (DRO). At the time of this writing, more than 1,300 volunteers have been deployed since the fires began. In partnership with the county government, the ARC gas been able to provide displaced residents with more than 257,000 overnight emergency shelter and hotel room stays on Maui and Oahu.WEB, Red Cross Responds to Climate Disasters Thousands of Miles Apart,www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2023/red-cross-helps-after-wildfire-and-hurricane.html, 2023-11-17, www.redcross.org, en,

International services

{{refimprove section|date = October 2023}}ARC, as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and its nearly 100 million volunteers, educates and mobilizes communities to overcome life-threatening vulnerabilities. ARC International Services Department focuses on global health, disaster preparedness and response, Restoring Family Links and international humanitarian law dissemination. ARC is involved with international projects such as the measles Initiative, malaria programs in Africa, disaster response and relief efforts in response to the 2004 South Asia tsunami.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Disaster preparedness and response

ARC international disaster response and preparedness programs provide relief and development assistance to millions of people annually who suffer as a result of natural and human-made disasters. To respond quickly and effectively, ARC has pre-positioned emergency relief supplies in three warehouses managed by the International Federation in Dubai, Malaysia, and Panama that are used to respond to disasters. An Emergency Response Unit (ERU) is another method with which ARC responds to international emergencies. An ERU is made up of trained personnel and pre-packaged equipment that is crucial in responding to sudden, large-scale disasters and emergencies in remote locations. American Red Cross ERUs specialize in providing emergency relief supplies and IT and Telecommunications for American Red Cross response operations.WEB, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Types of ERU – IFRC,www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/disaster-management/responding/disaster-response-system/dr-tools-and-systems/eru/types-of-eru/, August 18, 2011, August 11, 2011,www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/disaster-management/responding/disaster-response-system/dr-tools-and-systems/eru/types-of-eru/," title="web.archive.org/web/20110811041139www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/disaster-management/responding/disaster-response-system/dr-tools-and-systems/eru/types-of-eru/,">web.archive.org/web/20110811041139www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/disaster-management/responding/disaster-response-system/dr-tools-and-systems/eru/types-of-eru/, live,

Flood prevention in the Huai River valley

In 1911, the ARC initiated its first international disaster-prevention project in the Huai River Valley. The ARC hired engineers to redirect the Huai River to prevent the yearly flooding that ruined crops and caused famine.BOOK, The American Red Cross from Clara Barton to the New Deal, 2012, 9781421408231, 140, 10.1353/book.21077, Jones, Marian Moser, Key engineer within the project, C.D. Jameson, recommended a financial commitment to drainage, flood prevention, and land reclamation which he promised would result in ‘the elimination of the suffering, starvation, and degeneration of several millions of people’, which would substantially reduce ‘unrest and lawlessness’.BOOK, IRWIN, JULIA F., MAKING THE WORLD SAFE : the american red cross and a nation’s humanitarian awakening., 2017, OXFORD University Press, 978-0-19-061074-6, 45, 959033970, The plan’s ambition to re-engineer the Chinese landscape was representative of the increasingly global ambitions of the ARC and the new direction the organization was taking prior to World War I.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Haiti

On January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake struck the Haitian coast 10 miles from the capital of Port-au-Prince, causing massive damage, more than 200,000 deaths and displacing nearly 2 million people.As of March 2011, ARC announced it had allocated $314 million for Haiti earthquake relief and recovery. ARC funded recovery projects to provide transitional homes, health services, disaster preparedness, water and sanitation improvements and livelihoods development. It provided funds for school fees for affected families. As of June 2011, ARC had raised approximately $484 million for Haiti relief and recovery efforts.WEB, June 2011 Progress Report for the American Red Cross Response,www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/international/Haiti/HaitiEarthquake_18MonthReport.pdf, August 18, 2011, August 14, 2011,www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/international/Haiti/HaitiEarthquake_18MonthReport.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20110814202503www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/international/Haiti/HaitiEarthquake_18MonthReport.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20110814202503www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/international/Haiti/HaitiEarthquake_18MonthReport.pdf, live, A series of reports by NPR and ProPublica found that much of the money Americans donated never made it to help people in Haiti and promises to rebuild neighborhoods were never met.NEWS, In Search of the Red Cross’ $500 Million in Haiti Relief, NPR,www.npr.org/2015/06/03/411524156/in-search-of-the-red-cross-500-million-in-haiti-relief, April 6, 2018, July 31, 2016,www.npr.org/2015/06/03/411524156/in-search-of-the-red-cross-500-million-in-haiti-relief," title="web.archive.org/web/20160731080724www.npr.org/2015/06/03/411524156/in-search-of-the-red-cross-500-million-in-haiti-relief,">web.archive.org/web/20160731080724www.npr.org/2015/06/03/411524156/in-search-of-the-red-cross-500-million-in-haiti-relief, live, NEWS, Report: Red Cross Spent 25 Percent of Haiti Donations on Internal Expenses, NPR,www.npr.org/2016/06/16/482020436/senators-report-finds-fundamental-concerns-about-red-cross-finances, April 6, 2018, April 7, 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180407011727/https://www.npr.org/2016/06/16/482020436/senators-report-finds-fundamental-concerns-about-red-cross-finances, live,

Global health

ARC International Services global health initiatives focus on preventing and combating infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and measles on a large scale. Through cost-effective, community-based health interventions, ARC targets people in need and focuses on accessibility and equity of care, community participation, and integration with other community development initiatives, such as water and sanitation projects and food and nutrition programs.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}An example of ARC International Services health programming is the Measles Initiative, launched in 2001, as a partnership committed to reducing measles deaths globally. The initiative provides technical and financial support to governments and communities on vaccination campaigns and disease surveillance worldwide. Leading these efforts are ARC, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United Nations Foundation, UNICEF and the World Health Organization. The Measles Initiative has supported vaccination campaigns in more than 60 countries, mostly in Africa and Asia. Since 2001, the initiative has helped vaccinate one billion children in more than 60 developing countries.WEB, UN Foundation – The Measles Initiative Vaccinates One Billion Children in first decade, August 4, 2011,unfoundation.org/media/the-measles-initiative-vaccinates-one-billion-children-in-first-decade/, August 18, 2011, May 15, 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230515013413/https://unfoundation.org/media/the-measles-initiative-vaccinates-one-billion-children-in-first-decade/, live, The initiative supported the distribution of more than 37 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets for malaria prevention, 81 million doses of de-worming medicine, 95 million doses of polio vaccine, and 186 million doses of vitamin A.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}In December 2006, ARC became a founding partner of the Malaria No More campaign. The campaign was formed by leading non-governmental organizations to inspire individuals, institutions, and organizations in the private sector to support a comprehensive approach to end malaria, a devastating but preventable disease. ARC supported local Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers in Africa who educated families and communities about malaria prevention and treatment, such as the proper and consistent use of insecticide-treated bed nets. ARC provided technical assistance and capacity-building support to its partners in difficult-to-reach communities.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

International tracing requests

ARC handles international tracing requests and searches for families who have been separated. This service attempts to re-establish contact between separated family members. Restoring Family Links services provide the exchange of hand-written Red Cross Messages between individuals and their relatives who may be refugees or prisoners of war. At any given time, ARC Restoring Family Links program is handling the aftermath of 20–30 wars and conflicts. The worldwide structure of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross make this service possible. When new information from former Soviet Union archives became available in the 1990s, a special unit was created to handle World War II and Holocaust tracing services.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

International humanitarian law

ARC International Services educates the American public about the guiding principles of international humanitarian law (IHL) for conduct in warfare as set forth by the Geneva Conventions of 1949. In doing so, ARC International Services provides support to ARC chapters in their IHL dissemination efforts, offering courses and providing instructor training.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Service to the Armed Forces

(File:Poster-red-cross-volunteer-for-victory.jpg|thumb|A World War II-era poster encouraged American women to volunteer for the Red Cross as part of the war effort.)ARC provides emergency and non-emergency services to the United States military. The most notable service is emergency family communications, where families can contact the Red Cross to send important family messages (such as a death in the family, or new birth). ARC can also act as a verifying agency.NEWS, McDonald, Jeff, January 19, 2013, Military notification funds spent other ways Red Cross programs that got funding included Bike-O-Rama, Starbucks giveaway, The San Diego Union-Tribune,m.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jan/19/military-call-center-funds-go-elsewhere-red-cross/, dead, January 21, 2013,m.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jan/19/military-call-center-funds-go-elsewhere-red-cross/," title="web.archive.org/web/20150510040408m.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jan/19/military-call-center-funds-go-elsewhere-red-cross/,">web.archive.org/web/20150510040408m.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jan/19/military-call-center-funds-go-elsewhere-red-cross/, May 10, 2015, The agency operates call centers to provide these services.NEWS, Jowers, Karen, June 4, 2015, Red Cross begins to address hotline problems, Military Times,www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/2015/06/02/technical-difficulties-shut-down-red-cross-military-hotline/28368883/, June 12, 2015, October 9, 2016,www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/2015/06/02/technical-difficulties-shut-down-red-cross-military-hotline/28368883/," title="web.archive.org/web/20161009163734www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/2015/06/02/technical-difficulties-shut-down-red-cross-military-hotline/28368883/,">web.archive.org/web/20161009163734www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/2015/06/02/technical-difficulties-shut-down-red-cross-military-hotline/28368883/, live, ARC works closely with other military societies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, to provide other services to service members and their families. ARC is not involved with prisoners of war; these are monitored by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the international body.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}File:Carney Airfield, Solomon Islands, Red Cross girl. August 1944.jpg|left|thumb|180px|Carney Airfield, GuadalcanalGuadalcanalOne criticism of American Red Cross services to the military stems from stories about ARC charging troops during the Second World War and Korean War token fees for “comfort items” such as toothpaste, coffee, donuts, and cigarettes and for off-base food and lodging. The fee suggestion had been made in a letter dated March 1942 from the Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson to Norman H. Davis, the chairman of ARC. The suggestion was that Allied soldiers were being charged money so Americans should be charged too so as to “ensure an equitable distribution among all service personnel of American Red Cross resources”.WEB, April 10, 1946, The Milwaukee Journal – Milwaukee Public Library,mpl.org/databases/all/66, subscription, 15 May 2023, The American Red Cross adopted the Secretary’s suggestion as policy.WEB, September 11, 2005, Red Cross Charges for Assistance,www.snopes.com/medical/emergent/redcross.asp, March 8, 2012, Snopes.com, During World War II, ARC operated the American Red Cross Clubmobile Service to provide servicemen with food, entertainment and “a connection home.” In a June 18, 1945, address to Congress, General Dwight D. Eisenhower said of the American Red Cross service in World War II, “The Red Cross, with its clubs for recreation, its coffee and doughnuts in the forward areas, its readiness to meet the needs of the well and to help minister to the wounded has often seemed the friendly hand of this nation, reaching across the sea to sustain its fighting men.“BOOK, Cox, Leona, Destination Unknown, Cox, Kathleen, 2009, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 978-1-4664-1248-4, An account of one World War II American Red Cross Girl is recorded in Destination Unknown by Kathleen Cox; her mother, LeOna Cox, was recruited to American Red Cross Service by a fellow teacher at Allegheny College.WEB, Cox, Kathleen, April 26, 2013, Book Presentation Webcast,www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org/Home/kathleen-cox.aspx, dead,web.archive.org/web/20130628071542/https://www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org/Home/kathleen-cox.aspx, June 28, 2013, July 20, 2013, Another account of an American Red Cross World War II worker is related in letters by Evelyn Merritt Welden, compiled in the book How to Play During a War: A Free Spirit’s Life in Letters, by her son, Lynne Whelden.How to Play During a War: A Free Spirit’s Life in LettersEvelyn Merritt, Lynne Merritt WheldenLynne Whelden Productions, 2007(File:Great Lakes Naval Hospital 1966 - American Red Cross - Jennie Frankel and Terrie Frankel perform for wounded soldiers.jpeg|thumb|Great Lakes Naval Hospital 1966, Jennie and Terrie Frankel perform for wounded soldiers.){{anchor|ARCSROP}}During the Vietnam War 627 American women served in the ARC Supplemental Recreation Overseas Program. At the invitation of the United States Army the “Donut Dollies” provided morale-boosting games to soldiers. Due to the mobility of the UH-1 Iroquois, Vietnam Donut Dollies were able to visit troops in forwarding operating positions. The 2008 documentary film (A Touch of Home: The Vietnam War’s Red Cross Girls) tells the story of these women. ARC also provided services to entertain wounded soldiers at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital during the Vietnam War.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}In 2011, the Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) unit was reorganized and began receiving $24 million per year from Congress for operating expenses. Along with being downsized there was a consolidation into four regional locations (San Diego, California, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, Louisville, Kentucky, and Springfield, Massachusetts). In 2012 the first stories began breaking about long call times and the poor quality of response from call takers,WEB, 2012-08-24, Red Cross Attention to Military Members’ Needs Questioned,www.10news.com/news/team-10/red-cross-attention-to-military-members-needs-questioned, live,www.10news.com/news/team-10/red-cross-attention-to-military-members-needs-questioned," title="web.archive.org/web/20161121105123www.10news.com/news/team-10/red-cross-attention-to-military-members-needs-questioned,">web.archive.org/web/20161121105123www.10news.com/news/team-10/red-cross-attention-to-military-members-needs-questioned, November 21, 2016, November 21, 2016, WEB,www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2012/nov/13/military-call-hubs-now-handle-disasters-too/, Military Call Hubs Now Handle Disasters Too, along with questions about whether money was being used appropriately.WEB, January 19, 2013, Military notification funds spent other ways,www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/sdut-military-call-center-funds-go-elsewhere-red-cross-2013jan19-htmlstory.html, live,www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/sdut-military-call-center-funds-go-elsewhere-red-cross-2013jan19-htmlstory.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20161011055725www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/sdut-military-call-center-funds-go-elsewhere-red-cross-2013jan19-htmlstory.html,">web.archive.org/web/20161011055725www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/sdut-military-call-center-funds-go-elsewhere-red-cross-2013jan19-htmlstory.html, October 11, 2016, November 21, 2016, In 2015, the San Diego and Springfield locations were closed because an online option for families was implemented.WEB, American Red Cross to close San Diego emergency call center for military families - 10News.com KGTV ABC10 San Diego,www.10news.com/news/investigations/american-red-cross-to-close-san-diego-emergency-call-center-for-military-families, live,www.10news.com/news/investigations/american-red-cross-to-close-san-diego-emergency-call-center-for-military-families," title="web.archive.org/web/20161121103331www.10news.com/news/investigations/american-red-cross-to-close-san-diego-emergency-call-center-for-military-families,">web.archive.org/web/20161121103331www.10news.com/news/investigations/american-red-cross-to-close-san-diego-emergency-call-center-for-military-families, November 21, 2016, November 21, 2016,

Controversies

Johnson & Johnson suit over Red Cross image

{{further|Emblems of the Red Cross#Johnson & Johnson v. American Red Cross}}File:Flag of the Red Cross.svg|alt=|thumb|The red cross flag. The American Red Cross flag logo.]]On August 7, 2007,WEB, J&J (NYSE: JNJ) Sues Red Cross Over Use of Red Cross Emblem,www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0,1077,0_314_6907,00.html, dead,www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0%2C1077%2C0_314_6907%2C00.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20080307074632www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0%2C1077%2C0_314_6907%2C00.html,">web.archive.org/web/20080307074632www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0%2C1077%2C0_314_6907%2C00.html, March 7, 2008, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) filed suit against ARC over its sub licensing of the International Red Cross image for the production of first aid kits and similar products, which it alleged competed with the company’s products. The suit also asked for the destruction of all non-Johnson & Johnson Red Cross Emblem bearing products and demanded that ARC pay punitive damages and J&J’s legal fees.The American Red Cross’ position was that it had licensed its name to first aid kit makers in an effort to encourage readiness for disasters and that license revenues supported humanitarian work.NEWS, Foley, Stephen, August 10, 2007, Johnson & Johnson sues the Red Cross, The Independent, London,news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2851498.ece, dead, April 23, 2010,news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2851498.ece," title="web.archive.org/web/20071230185139news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2851498.ece,">web.archive.org/web/20071230185139news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2851498.ece, December 30, 2007, J&J claimed that the American Red Cross’s commercial ventures were outside the scope of historically well-agreed usage and were in direct violation of federal statutes.WEB, August 9, 2007, Johnson & Johnson Press Release: Statement on Civil Complaint Against The American National Red Cross,www.jnj.com/news/jnj_news/20070809_081717.htm,www.jnj.com/news/jnj_news/20070809_081717.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20070820084651www.jnj.com/news/jnj_news/20070809_081717.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20070820084651www.jnj.com/news/jnj_news/20070809_081717.htm, August 20, 2007, On May 14, 2008, a federal judge ruled against J&J.WEB, Opinion and order by U.S. District Court Judge Jed S. Rakoff,docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/new-york/nysdce/1:2007cv07061/311173/79/, March 8, 2012, Docs.justia.com, January 13, 2015,docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/new-york/nysdce/1:2007cv07061/311173/79/," title="web.archive.org/web/20150113130053docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/new-york/nysdce/1:2007cv07061/311173/79/,">web.archive.org/web/20150113130053docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/new-york/nysdce/1:2007cv07061/311173/79/, dead, In June 2008, the two organizations announced a settlement had been reached allowing both parties to use the symbol.WEB, June 18, 2008, Claim Over Red Cross Symbol Is Settled,www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/business/18cross.html,www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/business/18cross.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20160210025015www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/business/18cross.html,">web.archive.org/web/20160210025015www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/business/18cross.html, February 10, 2016, The New York Times,

Court ordered consent decree

The FDA took court action against ARC in response to deficiencies in their procedures for ensuring blood supply safety. The resulting consent decree outlines violations of federal law that ARC engaged in before 1993.WEB, April 13, 2003, Consent Decree Notification,www.fda.gov/ora/frequent/letters/1000123507_ARC/consent_decree_100023507_01.html, April 18, 2007, U.S. Food and Drug Administration,web.archive.org/web/20030628133218/https://www.fda.gov/ora/frequent/letters/1000123507_ARC/consent_decree_100023507_01.html, June 28, 2003, ARC paid millions of dollars in fines.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}ARC Biomedical Services instituted a standardized computer system to maintain the blood donor database; five National Testing Laboratories (NTLs) that test some six million units of blood annually;WEB, American Red Cross > Blood Services > National Testing Laboratories,www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0,1082,0_494_,00.html, dead,www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0%2C1082%2C0_494_%2C00.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20080518111637www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0%2C1082%2C0_494_%2C00.html,">web.archive.org/web/20080518111637www.redcross.org/services/biomed/0%2C1082%2C0_494_%2C00.html, May 18, 2008, July 3, 2008, the Charles Drew Biomedical Institute, which provides training and other educational resources to Red Cross Blood Services’ personnel; a Quality Assurance/Regulatory Affairs Department, which helps to ensure regulatory compliance; and, a centrally managed blood inventory system.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}The consent decree was amended in 2003 with penalties for specific violations.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}The FDA could impose penalties after April, 2003 up to the following maximum amounts:{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

• $10,000 per event (and $10,000 per day) for any violation of an ARC standard operating procedure (SOP), the law, or consent decree requirement and timeline
• $50,000 for the preventable release of each unit of blood for which the FDA finds a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences
  • $5,000 for the release of each unit that may cause temporary problems, up to a maximum of $500,000 per event
• $50,000 for the improper re-release of each unsuitable blood unit that was returned to ARC inventory
• $10,000 for each donor inappropriately omitted from the National Donor Deferral Registry, a list of all unsuitable donors

The FDA continued to apply pressure and fines to ARC in order to enforce compliance with regulations, including a $1.7 million fine in June 2008.NEWS, Harris, Gardiner, June 10, 2008, Red Cross Is Fined For Blood Violations, The Washington Post,www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/09/AR2008060902695.html, July 27, 2008, June 12, 2008,www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/09/AR2008060902695.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20080612102225www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/09/AR2008060902695.html,">web.archive.org/web/20080612102225www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/09/AR2008060902695.html, live, ARC worked closely with the FDA to develop a more robust system. The systems resulted in a five-year period of sustained compliance that led to the release from the Consent Decree as of December 4, 2015.WEB, December 15, 2015, Red Cross Gets Blood Consent Decree Lifted,www.thenonprofittimes.com/news-articles/red-cross-gets-blood-consent-decree-lifted,www.thenonprofittimes.com/news-articles/red-cross-gets-blood-consent-decree-lifted," title="web.archive.org/web/20160530020334www.thenonprofittimes.com/news-articles/red-cross-gets-blood-consent-decree-lifted,">web.archive.org/web/20160530020334www.thenonprofittimes.com/news-articles/red-cross-gets-blood-consent-decree-lifted, May 30, 2016, December 22, 2015, The Nonprofit Times,

Blood donation controversy

ARC faced criticism from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) advocacy organizations for prohibiting men who have sex with men (MSM) from donating blood. This policy was an FDA requirement for all blood collection companies and organizations in the United States. Specifically, the FDA instructs blood collection organizations to “defer for 12 months from the most recent sexual contact, a man who has had sex with another man during the past 12 months”.WEB, March 14, 2019, Revised Recommendations for Reducing the Risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission by Blood and Blood Products,www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/Blood/UCM446580.pdf, Food and Drug Administration, December 16, 2019, April 12, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190412135002/https://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/Blood/UCM446580.pdf, live, Consequently, ARC was legally unable to collect blood from such men. In 2006, along with the AABB and America’s Blood Centers, ARC petitioned the FDA to remove the requirement from blood donations, citing better screening technologies.WEB, Red Cross calls for end to ban on gay blood donors,www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid27945.asp, dead,www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid27945.asp," title="web.archive.org/web/20060316100845www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid27945.asp,">web.archive.org/web/20060316100845www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid27945.asp, March 16, 2006, Advocate.com, NEWS, May 30, 2007, American Red Cross Fights Ban on Gays’ Blood, NPR,www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10540971, March 8, 2012, November 17, 2011,www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10540971," title="web.archive.org/web/20111117162810www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10540971,">web.archive.org/web/20111117162810www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10540971, live, In August 2020, the American Red Cross reported on its website that its deferral of MSM from donating blood for 3 months after any sexual contact with another man is aligned with the newly updated guidance issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.WEB, Eligibility Criteria by Topic,www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements/lgbtq-donors.html, January 25, 2022, January 24, 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180124171950/https://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/lgbtq-donors, live, Then in May 2023, the FDA approved a policy to allow “monogamous gay and bi men (MSM) to finally donate blood immediately” - however would take some time to fully implement across the whole United States of America. An automatic 3-month deferred period still continually applies to non-monogamous individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, who have anal sex.WEB,www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/gay-bisexual-men-can-donate-blood-new-fda-rules-rcna83937, More gay and bisexual men can donate blood under new FDA rules, NBC News, May 11, 2023, May 14, 2023, May 14, 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230514125426/https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/gay-bisexual-men-can-donate-blood-new-fda-rules-rcna83937, live,

Hurricane Katrina controversy

In March, 2006, investigations of allegations of fraud and theft by volunteers and contractors within ARC Katrina operations were launched by the Louisiana Attorney-General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).WEB, March 27, 2006, Red Cross probed on Katrina fraud,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4851428.stm,news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4851428.stm," title="web.archive.org/web/20161024041259news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4851428.stm,">web.archive.org/web/20161024041259news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4851428.stm, October 24, 2016, April 18, 2007, BBC News Online, In response, ARC increased its internal and external education of the organization’s fraud and a waste hotline for confidential reporting to a third party agency.{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}} The organization also elected to implement a background check policy for all volunteers and staff, starting in 2006.WEB, July 2006, Background Check Fact Sheet,www.plainsredcross.org/pdf%20files/backgrnd_chk_fact_sheet.pdf, PlainsRedCross.org,www.plainsredcross.org/pdf%20files/backgrnd_chk_fact_sheet.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20070129021024www.plainsredcross.org/pdf%20files/backgrnd_chk_fact_sheet.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20070129021024www.plainsredcross.org/pdf%20files/backgrnd_chk_fact_sheet.pdf, January 29, 2007, In April 2006, an unnamed former ARC official leaked reports made by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the British Red Cross. Such reports are typical of a large-scale disaster relief operation involving other national Red Cross societies to solicit their input, but are usually confidential and not released to the general public. These particular reports were particularly critical of ARC operations in Katrina-affected regions, although the British Red Cross report strongly praised ARC volunteers for their efforts.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}

Question of spending in Haitian earthquake relief

After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Red Cross raised $490 million in relief donations.WEB,www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/International-Services/Haiti-10-year-pie-chart-FINAL.jpg, Haiti 10-Year Pie Chart JPG file, October 17, 2022, October 18, 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221018214425/https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/International-Services/Haiti-10-year-pie-chart-FINAL.jpg, live, The charts put to the press claim that a substantial amount was spent in the years following, but first-person accounts share another story.WEB, In Search of the Red Cross’ $500 Million in Haiti Relief,www.npr.org/2015/06/03/411524156/in-search-of-the-red-cross-500-million-in-haiti-relief, NPR.org, NPR, April 6, 2018, July 31, 2016,www.npr.org/2015/06/03/411524156/in-search-of-the-red-cross-500-million-in-haiti-relief," title="web.archive.org/web/20160731080724www.npr.org/2015/06/03/411524156/in-search-of-the-red-cross-500-million-in-haiti-relief,">web.archive.org/web/20160731080724www.npr.org/2015/06/03/411524156/in-search-of-the-red-cross-500-million-in-haiti-relief, live, As of 2015, a total of six homes were built.WEB, How the Red Cross Raised Half a Billion Dollars for Haiti and Built Six Homes,www.propublica.org/article/how-the-red-cross-raised-half-a-billion-dollars-for-haiti-and-built-6-homes, propublica.org, ProPublica, August 15, 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230815140826/https://www.propublica.org/article/how-the-red-cross-raised-half-a-billion-dollars-for-haiti-and-built-6-homes, August 15, 2023,

Storms controversy (Hurricane Sandy, Isaac, other major storms)

In October 2014, independent public interest news broadcasters NPR and ProPublica published investigative reports on the Red Cross’s handling of US East Coast Hurricanes Sandy and Isaac, citing internal Red Cross documents and interviews with former Red Cross and government officials. It criticized the organization’s response in failing to meet the immediate needs of victims. It also described “an organization so consumed with public relations that it hindered the charity’s ability to provide disaster services.“NEWS, October 29, 2014, Red Cross ‘Diverted Assets’ During Storms’ Aftermath To Focus On Image, NPR,www.npr.org/2014/10/29/359365276/on-superstorm-sandy-anniversary-red-cross-under-scrutiny, January 27, 2019, March 30, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190330162930/https://www.npr.org/2014/10/29/359365276/on-superstorm-sandy-anniversary-red-cross-under-scrutiny, live, NEWS, October 29, 2014, Red Cross defends response to Hurricane Sandy two years on, PBS,www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/red-cross-defends-response-hurricane-sandy-two-years/, October 27, 2015, October 27, 2015,www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/red-cross-defends-response-hurricane-sandy-two-years/," title="web.archive.org/web/20151027104844www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/red-cross-defends-response-hurricane-sandy-two-years/,">web.archive.org/web/20151027104844www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/red-cross-defends-response-hurricane-sandy-two-years/, live, WEB, Elliott, Justin, Eisinger, Jesse, Sullivan, Laura, October 29, 2014, The Red Cross’ Secret Disaster,www.propublica.org/article/the-red-cross-secret-disaster, October 27, 2015, Propublica.org, ProPublica and NPR, October 26, 2015,web.archive.org/web/20151026215734/https://www.propublica.org/article/the-red-cross-secret-disaster, live,

See also

• American Red Cross Motor Corps
• American Red Cross Volunteer Life Saving Corps

References

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

Further reading

• Bane, Suda Lorena, and Ralph Haswell Lutz, eds. Organization of American Relief in Europe, 1918–1919 (Stanford University Press, 1943).
• Davison, Henry P. The American Red Cross in the Great War (The Macmillan Company, 1919).
• Dulles, Foster Rhea. The American Red Cross: A History. (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1950).
• Egan, Timothy B. and Thanousone Pravongviengkham. “American Red Cross: A History and Analysis” (Defense Technical Information Center, 2016) online
• Fike, Claude E. “The Influence of the Creel Committee and the American Red Cross on Russian-American Relations, 1917–1919.” Journal of Modern History 312 (1959): 93–109. online.
• Irwin, Julia. Making the World Safe: The American Red Cross and a Nation’s Humanitarian Awakening. New York: Oxford University Press, 2013.
• Irwin, Julia. “The American Red Cross in Great War-Era Europe, 1914–1922.” The Tocqueville Review 38.2 (2017): 117–131.
• Irwin, Julia F. “Teaching ‘Americanism with a World Perspective’: The Junior Red Cross in the U.S. Schools from 1917 to the 1920s.” ‘’History of Education Quarterly;; 533 (2013), pp. 255–279. online
• Irwin, Julia F. “Nation Building and Rebuilding: The American Red Cross in Italy during the Great War.” Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era 83 2009, pp. 407–439 online
• Jones, Marian Moser. The American Red Cross From Clara Barton to the New Deal. (Johns Hopkins University Press; 2013).
• Jones, Marian Moser. “The American Red Cross and Local Response to the 1918 Influenza Pandemic: A Four-City Case Study.” Public Health Reports vol. 125, 2010, pp. 92–104. online
• Kind-Kovács, Friederike. “The Great War, the child’s body and the American Red Cross.” European Review of History: Revue européenne d’histoire 23.1–2 (2016): 33–62, child-relief activities in Hungary 1919.doi.org/10.1080/13507486.2015.1121971
• Rodogno, Davide. “The American Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross: Humanitarian Politics and Policies in Asia Minor and Greece (1922–1923).” First World War Studies 51 (2014): 83–99
• Rozario, Kevin. “’Delicious horrors’: Mass culture, the Red Cross, and the appeal of modern american humanitarianism.” American Quarterly (2003) 553. 417–455. online
• Schmidt, Cheryl K. “In Our Community: American Red Cross Nursing: Essential to Disaster Relief.” American Journal of Nursing 1048 (2004): 35–38. online.
• Whelden, Lynne Merritt. How to Play During a War: A Free Spirit’s Life in Letters (Canton, PA: Lynne Whelden Productions; 2007).

External links

{{Wikisource portal}}{{Commons category|American Red Cross}}

• {{official website}}
• American Red Cross Disaster Relief Photos
• Clara Barton’s House: Home of the American Red Cross, a National Park Service Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) lesson plan
• American Red Cross Motor Service uniform, the 1940s, in the Staten Island Historical Society Online Collections Database
• American Red Cross Nurse’s Aide uniform, the 1940s, in the Staten Island Historical Society Online Collections Database
• Red Cross posters from World War I from the Elisabeth Ball Collection
• arcweb.archives.gov/arc/action/ExternalIdSearch?id=783" title="web.archive.org/web/20160210025313arcweb.archives.gov/arc/action/ExternalIdSearch?id=783">Records of the American National Red Cross, 1881–2008 at the National Archives and Records Administration
• {{Gutenberg author | id=35748| name=American National Red Cross}}
• {{Internet Archive author |sname=American Red Cross}}

{{Red Cross Red Crescent Movement}}{{Authority control}}