As climate disasters, blood donation needs and other emergencies upend lives, local community heroes in Georgia are stepping up to care for one another.

This March, the American Red Cross of Georgia is honoring those who make its mission possible during the 80th annual American Red Cross Month celebration — a national tradition that began in 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation. Locally, Governor Brian Kemp has declared March as Red Cross Month in Georgia where the Georgia Red Cross will recognize community heroes all throughout the month.

“When help can’t wait during emergencies, people in Georgia rally together to provide relief and hope for neighbors in need,” said Dee Dixon, Regional Chief Executive Officer at the American Red Cross of Georgia. “This humanitarian spirit is at the heart of our community, and we are proud to honor all those who make our mission possible during this year’s Red Cross Month celebration. You can join in their commitment by donating, volunteering, giving blood or platelets, or taking a lifesaving skills course.”

Participate in Red Cross Month by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood or platelets, become a volunteer, or take a class in lifesaving skills, such as first aid, CPR and how to use an AED. On March 22, you can also join our 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.

CONTINUING CLARA BARTON’S LIFESAVING LEGACY Today’s Red Cross volunteers, blood and platelet donors, and supporters are advancing the lifesaving legacy of Clara Barton — one of the most honored women in U.S. history — who founded the American Red Cross more than 140 years ago. Her vision to prevent and alleviate human suffering has never wavered: Generation after generation, people have come together to adapt this timeless mission for their communities’ most urgent needs.

Today in Georgia this includes:

  • Hundreds of Red Cross staff and volunteers worked countless hours on the ground for several weeks to assist families affected by the January 12th Georgia tornadoes.
  • Red Cross volunteers and partners installed more than 62,636 free smoke alarms making 27,512 households safer.
  • Red Cross volunteers and partners also educated more than 17,194 children about home fire safety through youth preparedness programs.
  • The American Red Cross Blood Manufacturing Facility and Immunohematology Reference Laboratory of the Georgia region is responsible for providing blood products to over 100 hospital partners across the Southeastern region of the United States, delivering over 300,000 units of red blood cells and about 50,000 platelet products to hospital shelves annually.

A REWARDING DAY OF GIVING BACK Home fires are the most frequent disaster response for the Red Cross, which is also working to help families stay safe by installing free smoke alarms during its Sound the Alarm home fire safety events in at-risk communities. Volunteers are needed for events throughout April and May — register and learn more at https://www.redcross.org/local/georgia/volunteer.html.

PREVENT A BLOOD SHORTAGE When volunteer blood and platelet 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.*

Upcoming blood donation opportunities March 1-31

 Bartow County 

Adairsville

3/27/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 102 South Main Street

Cartersville

3/8/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 183 West Main Street

3/28/2023: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Cartersville Civic Ctr., 435 West Main Street

3/30/2023: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Bartow County College and Career Academy, 738 Grassdale Road