Valley City Times-Record

Regional Red Cross marks 80th annual American Red Cross Month

- Special to Times-Record

[MINNEAPOLI­S — This March marks the 80th annual American Red Cross Month. The Minnesota and Dakotas Red Cross is honoring all those who provide relief and hope when help can’t wait during emergencie­s and encouragin­g everyone to get involved.

Today’s Red Cross volunteers -- more than 2,000 in the Minnesota and Dakotas region -- blood donors and financial supporters are advancing the lifesaving legacy of Clara Barton who founded the American Red Cross more than 140 years ago. Her vision to prevent and alleviate human suffering has never wavered.

Since then, people have rallied to help during emergencie­s, providing relief and hope for neighbors in need. This humanitari­an spirit is at the heart of local communitie­s as well as the work of the Red Cross. People can help strengthen local communitie­s by becoming a volunteer, giving blood, or taking lifesaving skills class, such as first aid, CPR and how to use an AED. To get started with any of these activities, visit redcross.org/mndaks.

PREVENT A BLOOD SHORTAGE When volunteer blood donors lend an arm this March, they’ll help keep the blood supply from dropping this spring. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31, 2023, will receive a $10 Visa® Prepaid Card by email.* Plus, they'll be automatica­lly entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa Prepaid Card – which could help toward expenses like gas or groceries. There will be five lucky winners.* To find a blood drive near you, go to redcrossbl­ood. org.

RED CROSS GIVING DAY On March 22, people can also join the annual Red Cross Giving Day campaign by donating at redcross.org/givingday to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides internatio­nal humanitari­an aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organizati­on that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

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