American Red Cross

History

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**Information from: http://www.redcross.org/museum/history/brief.asp

Clara Barton and a circle of acquaintances founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 1881. Barton first heard of the Swiss-inspired International Red Cross Movement while visiting Europe following the Civil War.

Barton headed the Red Cross for 23 years, during which time it conducted its first domestic and overseas disaster relief efforts, aided the United States military during the Spanish-American War, and campaigned successfully for the inclusion of peacetime relief work.

The Red Cross received its first congressional charter in 1900 and a second in 1905. This charter-which remains in effect today and sets forth the purposes of the organization that include giving relief to and serving as a medium of communication between members of the American armed forces and their families and providing national and international disaster relief.

With the outbreak of war, the organization experienced growth. World War I exponentially expanded the American Red Cross by significantly increasing Red Cross chapters, volunteers, and funds. The American Red Cross sent thousands of nurses overseas, helped organize the home front, established veterans hospitals, delivered care packages, organized ambulances, and even trained dogs to search for wounded.

In World War II, the American Red Cross played a similar role but also sent millions of packages of food to POWs, began a blood collection service to aid the wounded, and established clubs such as the famous Rainbow Corner to offer entertainment and food to servicemen.

After World War II, the American Red Cross established a civilian blood collection service in 1948, has continued to offer aid to victims of disasters and wars, added classes for CPR. The American Red Cross has continued to be an important organization, offering aid to millions affected by wars and disasters.

American Red Cross

About

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The American Red Cross is the only congressionally mandated organization to provide aid to victims of disaster and is responsible for fulfilling the mandates of the Geneva Convention within the United States.

The American Red Cross offers compassionate services in six areas: Domestic disaster relief Community services that help the needy Support and comfort for military members and their families The collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products Educational programs that promote health and safety International relief and development programs

Some four million people give blood—the gift of life—through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States.

An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs.

On August 7, 2007, Johnson & Johnson filed suit against the American Red Cross over its sublicensing of the Red Crossimage for the production of first aid kits and similar products, which are alleged to compete with Johnson & Johnson. The Red Cross' position was that it has licensed its name to first aid kit makers in an effort to encourage readiness for disasters, and that the revenues from its products are reinvested in humanitarian work. On May 14, 2008, a federal judgeruled against Johnson & Johnson (J&J) in its suit.

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The American Red Cross is a nationwide network of more than 700 chapters and 900 Blood Services regions, in 9 divisions, dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

**Information from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_red_cross

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American Red Cross

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