American Red Cross

A·mer·i·can Red Cross

(ă-mĕr'i-kan red kraws),

The national Red Cross society of the U.S., established by Congress to assist in caring for the sick and wounded to serve as a communications link between members of the U.S. armed forces and their families, to conduct disaster relief and prevention programs, and to perform other humanitarian services, the largest of which is operation of a network of regional blood donation centers providing blood and blood products.

American Red Cross

one of more than 120 national organizations that seek to reduce human suffering through various health, safety, and disaster relief programs in affiliation with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The American Red Cross is not a government agency. It relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. The American Red Cross has more than 1.2 million members throughout the United States. Some 97% of Red Cross staff is volunteer. Chapters maintain small paid staffs and employ some professionals but depend largely on the volunteers. The American Red Cross blood program collects and distributes more blood than any other single U.S. agency and coordinates distribution of blood and blood products to the U.S. Defense Department on request or during national emergencies. American Red Cross nursing and health programs include courses in the home on parenthood, prenatal and postnatal care, hygiene, and venereal disease. Nursing students may enroll for service in American Red Cross community programs and during disasters. The President of the United States is honorary chairman of the organization, for which a 50-member board of governors, all volunteers, develops policy. The symbol of the American Red Cross, like that of most other Red Cross societies throughout the world, is a red cross on a field of white; in Switzerland it is a white cross on a red field, in Muslim countries a red crescent, and in Israel a red star of David.

American Red Cross

American organisation which helps vulnerable people and communities around the world prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies and health crises; it abides by 7 fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

American Red Cross

A branch of the international philanthropic organization Red Cross Society. It provides emergency aid during civil disasters such as floods and earthquakes, offers humanitarian services for armed forces personnel and their families, and operates centers for collecting and processing blood and blood products.