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February 07, 2024
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2024
Black Excellence Is in Our Blood!
Donate In
Honor of Black
History Month
During Black History Month this Feb-
ruary, the American Red Cross honors the
significant achievements of Black Amer-
icans and the vital role blood donations
from individuals who are Black play in
meeting the transfusion needs of patients
and those with sickle cell disease. Right
now, the Red Cross is experiencing an
emergency blood shortage, and donors are
urged to give blood or platelets as soon as
possible to help alleviate the shortage and
ensure lifesaving medical procedures are
not delayed.
With the theme “Black Excellence Is
in Our Blood,” the Red Cross honors the
vibrant legacies of trailblazers whose col-
laborative spirit of excellence continue
to shape the organization’s humanitarian
mission. Frederick Douglass, a prominent
Black abolitionist and author who escaped
slavery, supported Clara Barton's efforts
to establish the American Red Cross.
Having been impressed by Barton’s aid to
soldiers who were Black during the Civil
War and her desire to improve the pro-
tection of the wounded during wartime,
Douglass signed the original Articles of
Incorporation for the Red Cross in 1881.
During Black History Month this February, the American Red Cross honors the significant achievements of Black Americans
February is designated as Black History
Month to honor Douglass’ birthday on
Feb. 14. Howard University, one of the
nation’s top historically Black colleges
and universities, formed its Red Cross
Unit in March 1917 under the leadership
of Red Crosser Hallie E. Queen. Deter-
mined to aid the war effort, students met
daily to make 1,000 hospital supplies be-
fore the semester ended, and coordinated
entertainment for Black soldiers stationed
at Fort Meade. Howard University carries
on this tradition today through its Red
Cross Club, which hosts blood drives and
completes community service projects.
Dr. Charles R. Drew, a surgeon and pio-
neer of modern blood banking, was named
the first medical director of the Red Cross
National Blood Collection Program in
1941. His work with the Red Cross helped
save the lives of hundreds of thousands of
soldiers and civilians during World War
II. Dr. Drew’s efforts to increase the blood
supply led to the use of bloodmobiles and
other collection, preservation and distri-
bution processes still used today.
Adventist Health
Portland
All the care you need,
right where you need it.
Learn more at
adventisthealth.org/portland
or scan this QR code.
Commemorate Black History Month by
rolling up a sleeve to give blood or plate-
lets. Use the Red Cross Blood Donor App,
visit RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood or call
1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to
schedule an appointment today. All who
come to give blood, platelets or plasma Feb.
1-29, 2024, will receive a $20 Amazon.com
Gift Card by email. Join the Red Cross in el-
evating Black Excellence during Black His-
tory Month: Discover and support Black-
owned businesses on Amazon! Terms apply.
Visit rcblood.org/heart for details.