March is Red Cross Month

March is the designated month to remind the community of the work that the American Red Cross does and to raise awareness on the need for public support in order to help those in need.

The Red Cross started back in 1881 by Clara Barton and was officially chartered by Congress in 1900 to provide national and international relief during disaster, according the organization's website. Since then, people in throughout the United States have volunteered and donated funds to support the Red Cross in its mission to provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed the first Red Cross Month in 1943, in support of Red Cross fundraising efforts to respond to needs brought on by World War II, an article on the Red Cross website stated. Since 1943, every president has designated March as Red Cross Month.

If you don't usually donate blood or volunteer, consider doing so in March. The American Red Cross is always looking for Blood Service Volunteers, which help ensure that every blood donor has a positive experience. Or, become a Transportation Specialist and transport blood from local blood drives to the Red Cross center in Philadelphia for testing and processing. For a list of volunteer opportunities nearby, click here.

If you don't have time to volunteer, call 1-800-733-2767 to schedule an appointment to donate blood at one of the following locations:

Willow Grove American Red Cross Donor Center
31 Easton Rd., Willow Grove, Pa., 19090
Appointments between 1 and 8 p.m.

Advent Lutheran Church
45 Worthington Mill Rd., Richboro, Pa., 18954
Donation Types: Double Red Cell Donations
Appintment between 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Northeast Philadelphia American Red Cross Donor Center
Smylie Times Building, Philadelphia, Pa., 19152
Appointment between 12:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Philadelphia Biblical University
200 Manor Ave., Langhorne, Pa., 19047
Donation Types: Double Red Cell Donations
Appointments between 11 a.m. and  5 p.m. on March 8.

RSMO Bensalem (Holiday Inn)
3499 St Rd., Bensalem, Pa., 19020
Donation Types: Double Red Cell Donations
Appointments between 2 and 7:30 p.m. on March 8.

RSMO Levittown (Ramada Inn)
6201 Bristol Pike, Levittown, Pa., 19057
Donation Types: Double Red Cell Donations
Appointments between 2 and 7:30 p.m. on March 8.

St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church
81 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., 18940
Appointments between 1 and 7 p.m. on March 9.

For a full list of donation sites and to make an appointment throughout March click here.