Alison Tucker, age 14, of Champaign, I11., for her question
WHEN WAS THE RED CROSS STARTED?
Red Cross is an organization that strives to relieve human suffering. Red Cross societies can be found in more than 120 nations. The Red Cross was founded in Switzerland in 1863.
The name Red Cross comes from the organization's flag, a red cross on a white background. The flag honors Switzerland, although the Swiss flag is a white cross on a red field.
Societies in most Muslim countries use a red crescent on a white field and they call themselves Red Crescent societies. In Iran, the emblem is a red lion and sun. In Israel, the symbol is a red Star of David on a white field.
The American National Red Cross has more than 30 million members. Its programs and services are funded by voluntary contributions.
Local Red Cross chapters help their communities develop year round preparedness for disaster situations. Volunteer groups are trained to provide food, clothing, emergency first aid and nursing and medical service They also operate shelters for homeless families. All of the disaster aid is free.
Another important American Red Cross function is the collection and distribution of more blood than any other single agency in the United States. About 4 million blood donations are made each year by voluntary donors. And then the American Red Cross gives blood to about 4,100 civilian and government hospitals, and supplies blood products that doctors need to treat patients. The Red Cross is the coordinating agency for providing blood and blood products to the United States Department of Defense on request or during a national emergency.
Red Cross services are available to U.S. military personnel wherever they are. The Red Cross helps solve personal and family problems and provides counseling, emergency communications and financial aid. A special staff helps veterans and their dependents.
The Red Cross also provides a number of important youth and service programs.
The Red Cross offers courses in basic, standard and advanced first aid and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. These courses include information on accident prevention.
The Red Cross also teaches swimming, swimming for the handicapped, life saving and how to handle small boats.
Local chapters also provide demonstrations, exhibits, film talks and radio and TV broadcasts on safety training. Certificates of merit are awarded to persons who use skills learned in Red Cross courses to save lives.
The American National Red Cross maintains relations with national societies in other countries. It provides emergency help to disaster victims and refugees in other countries through its affiliation with the League of Red Cross Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross. It also helps reunite families separated by war, disasters or other emergencies.
The Canadian Red Cross Society has about 2 million adult volunteers and about 400,000 Red Cross Youth members.