In 2006, we commemorated the 125th anniversary of the American Red Cross. The Red Cross has changed in a multitude of ways since its founding. In 1881, Clara Barton founded the first chapter of the American Red Cross in Dansville, New York. The original purpose/mission of the organization was to help disaster victims and provide services to members of the armed forces. By Congressional mandate, when the organization was founded, we had to provide these two services and that mandate continues today. In 1910, the Red Cross began a first aid and industrial safety campaign to reduce accidents in the American workplace. In 1914, water safety instruction began, and drownings in the U.S. declined significantly. Although by this time the Red Cross was becoming more organized, it wasn't until World War I that the Red Cross appeared on a national stage. With only 107 chapters before the war, that number ballooned to 3,864. The Monroe County Chapter was founded in Bloomington, Indiana in 1917.

Today there are over 600 chapters across the United States. The Red Cross helps the victims of over 70,000 disasters nationwide each year. In almost 200 countries, a Red Cross, Red Crescent or equivalent society works to alleviate human suffering. More than 10 million people learned lifesaving skills last year through their local Red Cross. Some 11 million people a year receive Red Cross training in first aid, water safety, and other skills that help save lives.

More than a million people give their time to make their neighbors—across town or across the country—safer by volunteering for the American Red Cross. Almost one million people every year proudly call themselves American Red Cross volunteers. Voluntary donors gave more than 6.4 million units of blood to save the lives of people they will never know through the American Red Cross last year.

To learn how you can help, please read more information to give blood, volunteer or donate funds or services!