b'CHARITY OF THE MONTHMarch is Red Cross MonthS ince its founding by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881, the American Red Cross has been dedicated to serving people in need. They received their first congressional charter in 1900 and to this day they are tasked by the federal government with providing services to members of the American armed forces and their families as well as providing disaster relief in the United States and around the world.The Red Cross relies heavily on its fleet of vehicles to carry out their missions of delivering life-saving blood products to disaster responses and to connections at Veterans hospitals and others who have served our nation. The Red Cross collects and distributes approximately 40% of the nation\'s blood supply. Delivering blood, platelets, or other blood products to hospital patients is crucial but necessary when lives are at stake. Without reliable blood transportation vehicles, this live-saving work simply wouldn\'t be possible.On average, the American Red Cross responds to a disaster every eight minutes, and every two seconds theres a need for blood. The disaster fleet of vehicles transports volunteers across Arizona and New Mexico to provide support when home fires, wildfires, or flooding strikes. These vehicles are indispensable to providing life-saving food, water, and supplies where needed at a moment\'s notice.Because of the importance of these vehicles, they\'re embarking on a new effort to raise funds for the Arizona and New Mexico region. They are looking to raise $55,000 for one new biomedical fleet vehicle and one new humanitarian services vehicle. Please consider helping the American Red Cross of Arizona and New Mexico raise money to replace their aging vehicles. Your contribution, no matter what amount will make a difference!You can donate to their "gofundme" effort. Also, if you\'d like please share this link with families and friends via social media to help them realize a successful fleet funding campaign. charity.gofundme.com/American-Red-Cross-of-Arizona-bio-med-fund-a-fleetVolunteer OpportunitiesVolunteers are needed at blood drives or to join their mission-critical volunteer positions to carry out other aspects of their lifesaving work. The American Red Cross has a high-priority need for Blood Donor Ambassadors and Transportation Specialists to continue delivering services to our communities.Donating Blood These volunteers welcome visitors to Red Cross facilities or blood drives and take their temperature before they enter. Visitors could include potential blood donors, people seeking help, course The American Red Cross has anparticipants, and Red Cross employees and volunteers.They need ongoing critical need for bloodyour help right now!and platelet donations amidstIn times of disaster or social isolation, it can be difficult for people coronavirus uncertainties. Youto leave their homes to volunteer in the community so even while can make an appointmentstaying home there is an opportunity to support the Red Cross to give blood or platelets atmission virtually. There is a wide range of volunteer opportunities in which volunteers can engage remotely. You can deliver help and hope RedCrossBlood.Orgfrom the comfort of your own home, through a wide range of virtual opportunities. RedCross.org/volunteer Give COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Are you fully recovered from a verified COVID-19 diagnosis? If so, the plasma in your blood may contain COVID-19 antibodies that can attack the virus. This convalescent plasma is being evaluated as a possible treatment for currentlyill COVID-19 patients, so your donation could help savethe lives of patients battlingthis disease. RedCross.Org/donate-bloodArizonaRealCountry.com March 2021 65'