Janelle Vu

Mr. Troy Hoehne

Period 1, Current Global Issues
16 October 2015
International Organizations: Red Cross
To many people, the Red Cross is what they see on television. They see lives being saved
through extra supplies, water, food, clothing, and shelter. However, there is much more to the
Red Cross than just safety. For instance, there are community volunteer organizations that put
together care packages to be shipped overseas where the Red Cross is doing the safety and rescue
work. This displays an aspect of the Red Cross people dont realize exists. They bring people
together and provide love and support to others.
The Red Cross has a mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of
emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors (Red Cross).
When natural disasters strike earth, the Red Cross is already prepared to give the people care,
hope, clothing, food, and shelter. Volunteers from the Red Cross risk their own lives for others in
need because that is their goal. Donors contribute by distributing safe blood and blood products
around the world as well. The Red Cross isnt only prepared for natural disasters but in any
emergency they are always nearby to save lives because that is their job.
The Red Cross was established by Clara Barton after the American Civil War. The
organization had a small amount of people but they introduced first aid, water safety, and public
nursing programs. During World War I, the Red Cross was a huge help to all of the soldiers.
Therefore, there was an enormous growth in members. The membership grew from 17,000 to
over 20 million adults and 11 million Junior Red Cross members (Red Cross). As a result, it
became a huge success. The general public also contributed $400 million to support the Red
Cross during the First World War. That money helped the Red Cross build hospitals and

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ambulance companies around the world. After World War I the Red Cross focused on mainly
accident prevention, safety training, home care, and relief for victims of natural disasters.
During World War II, the Red Cross provide their services to the United States military, allies,
and civilian war victims. The Red Cross also created a national blood program and collected
13.3 million pints of blood for armed forces (Red Cross). Then, after the Second World War
they introduced the first nationwide civilian blood program. Over 40 percent of the blood was
supplied in the country. Equally important, the Red Cross provided services to families in the
Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf wars. Presently, the Red Cross and the Federal Emergency
Management Agency are working together to plan more community organizations.
The most significant member of the Red Cross is the person that created it, Clara Barton.
Clara and her acquaintances founded the American Red Cross in Washington D.C. on 21 May
1881 (Red Cross). She decided to start the Red Cross because she saw the Swiss Red Cross
network in action while visiting Europe and the love and compassion involved in saving other
peoples lives. Therefore, when she came back to the United States she campaigned and was
determined to make this organization happen. She led the Red Cross for 23 years and it was a
tremendous success. Many other members have significantly impacted the Red Cross after she
left, such as Benard Daniel. He joined in 1967, during the Arab and Israel six day war. He
carried out many assignments in the Middle East and Asia. Benard joined because he cared about
the organization and wanted to help it grow and become a caring community.
The Red Cross is one of the most reliable organizations in the world. This is because
every single volunteer or member on the team cares about those who are in danger, being abused,
or just hurt overall. It doesnt not how old you are, and how what you look like, what really

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matters is how much you care, how big your heart is for others. There will always be a Red
Cross nearby and it wouldnt hurt to sign up and help. Some things that could be helped with in
the Red Cross is help with the blood drive, hospital volunteer, school clubs, take a CPR class and
become certified, or be a translator. These a just a few ways to help make our world a better
place.

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Bibliography
"Mission & Principles | American Red Cross Mission Statement." American Red Cross. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.
"Our History | American Red Cross History." American Red Cross. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.
"Ways To Help | American Red Cross | Support the Red Cross." American Red Cross. N.p., n.d.
Web. 15 Oct. 2015.