Every year since 1943, the President of the United States has declared March as American Red Cross Month. What is it about the Red Cross that could earn the unanimous support of every President since FDR? Maybe Ronald Reagan said it best when he said, "The spirit of volunteerism is deeply ingrained in us as a nation. The American people understand that there are no substitutes for gifts of service given from the heart."

He was right. From the beginning, America has been a place of humanitarian action and compassion—a place where people take care of each other, and are always willing to reach out and take care of others in need, whether they live down the block or around the globe. Putting our compassion into action is deeply rooted in the American character. The American Red Cross is a reflection of that truly American character. It’s a spirit that’s very much alive in New England and reflected in the American Red Cross Blood Services, New England Region.

A History of Red Cross Month
How did this tradition come about?

For the first quarter century of its existence, the Red Cross held no regular fund-raising drives. Since Clara Barton created the organization in 1881, it was largely dependent for publicity and funds on the spontaneous support of people who learned of catastrophic events and the Red Cross response to them. News of an event broke, the American Red Cross rushed to the scene with help, and people around the country came forth with outpourings of volunteer assistance and donations of funds and supplies.

This rather haphazard manner of operating changed abruptly in 1917, when the United States entered World War I. After declaring war, President Wilson ordered the American Red Cross to raise funds to support its aid to the military and civilians affected by war as Congress had mandated. In response, the Red Cross held its first national War Fund drive in June 1917, Within a few days, more than $115 million was raised. Then in December 1917, the Red Cross held its first "Christmas Roll Call." People were asked to give a minimum of $1 to join the organization's membership rolls. This drive also proved highly successful. After the war, the Red Cross decided to make the Christmas Roll Call an annual membership and fund-raising drive.

In November 1941, with war in Europe, the Red Cross conducted a highly successful 25th Annual Christmas Roll Call. A few days later the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the United States entered World War II. As it had done in the previous World War, the Red Cross responded immediately by declaring a War Fund campaign. By June 1942, it had raised more than $66 million.

Rather than go back to the public with a third appeal in one year, the Red Cross decided to cancel its 1942 Christmas Roll Call. Instead, after discussions with President Roosevelt, the honorary chairman of the Red Cross, the whole month of March 1943 was declared "Red Cross Month." Again, the response was overwhelming. By June 1943 donations totaled nearly $146 million. Roosevelt called it "The greatest single crusade of mercy in all of history."

This success caused the Red Cross make March Red Cross Month the occasion of its annual membership, fund-raising and awareness efforts ever since. As a historical footnote, the last radio speech President Roosevelt gave, a few days before his death, was in support of the 1945 Red Cross March campaign.

Much has changed since that first Red Cross Month in 1943, but one thing has not. New England is still a place where neighbors help neighbors and your support of our Red Cross blood services mission is a true reflection of that spirit. Together, we can save a life!

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