American Red Cross

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Red Cross Announces Emergency Blood Shortage, With a 'Super' Appeal

US humanitarian group is giving donors a chance to win Super Bowl trip if they roll up their sleeves

(Newser) - An emergency blood shortage has prompted the American Red Cross to make an appeal to all eligible donors: Please come in, roll up your sleeves, and give a little. On Sunday, the humanitarian aid group announced it's seeing the lowest number of US blood donors in two decades, and...

America's Blood Supply Is at 'Critically Low Levels'

Red Cross blames 'back-to-back months of worsening climate-related disasters'

(Newser) - The American Red Cross has announced a national blood shortage, warning that the US blood supply is at "critically low levels." The Red Cross said the national blood supply is down almost 25% from early last month, partly due to "back-to-back months of worsening climate-related disasters" that...

American Red Cross Workers Air Their Grievances

Some tell the 'Guardian' the pay and appreciation are lacking

(Newser) - American Red Cross workers aren't happy these days, at least according to a piece from the Guardian that details their grievances. Chief among them: low pay, inadequate staffing, and a general lack of appreciation. The Guardian's report comes as the Coalition of American Red Cross Unions, which represents...

US Facing 'National Crisis' on Blood Supply

Red Cross is warning of 'severe blood shortage' around the nation

(Newser) - "Every two seconds, someone in the US needs blood," per the American Red Cross. Now, however, "crucial patient care" is getting pushed off thanks to what the group says is a "severe blood shortage" nationwide, per the New York Times . In a release issued June 14,...

Red Cross Move on Virus 'Completely Changes the Landscape'

Antibody test showing who's had COVID-19 could pinpoint potential plasma donors

(Newser) - The American Red Cross plans to begin offering antibody tests to potential donors who suspect they've recovered from the coronavirus, reports ABC News . The hope is that blood from people who've already recovered could be used to treat sick patients. Scientists don't know whether such blood actually...

Blood Donation Rules Changed—Likely for Good

New policy for gay men expected to stay in place

(Newser) - The US government Thursday eased restrictions on blood donations from gay men and other key groups because of a drop in the nation's blood supply triggered by the coronavirus outbreak. The Food and Drug Administration's new policy aims to allow tens of thousands more Americans to give blood,...

Red Cross VP Squirms in Interview on How Donations Are Distributed

I 'really don't' know, exec admits to NPR on Harvey relief efforts

(Newser) - In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, many have criticized the American Red Cross, with Facebook and others even directing those who want to help to donate to a different charity . The criticism isn't new: As NPR notes, there have long been reports that ARC misstates how donor dollars are...

Want to Help After Harvey? Don't Donate to the Red Cross

Jonathan M. Katz argues that the organization is flawed

(Newser) - Hurricane Harvey has devastated Texas, and it's natural to want to help. But don't try to help by donating money to the American Red Cross, journalist and author Jonathan M. Katz writes on Slate . The disaster relief organization may be iconic, but it's far from effective,...

Red Cross Built Just 6 Houses in Haiti After the Quake

New report reveals murky details of Red Cross projects

(Newser) - The American Red Cross raised nearly $500 million after Haiti's devastating 2010 earthquake, but what happened to the money? According to an NPR and Pro Publica report, the organization claims to have provided 130,000 people with homes but in fact built only six permanent homes. The Red Cross...

Red Cross Takes Flak Over Big-Tobacco Money

International parent group pressures US affiliate to stop taking the donations

(Newser) - When a parent tells you to do something, it's advisable to take heed. But a Reuters exclusive shows that despite private pressure from the International Red Cross, the American Red Cross continues to accept donations from Big Tobacco. The IRC says that by taking in tobacco dollars, the ARC...

Red Cross Sitting on a Third of Sandy Donations

$110M remains unspent

(Newser) - The Red Cross was the top recipient of donations after Superstorm Sandy, bringing in $303 million to help victims. But as of mid-April, $110 million of that remained unused, the organization says. Though the Red Cross—and some disaster relief experts—says that's a good move, allowing it to...

Phony Relief Worker Busted in NYC

He posed as Red Cross volunteer to break into homes

(Newser) - A New York City criminal who spied opportunity after superstorm Sandy struck has been arrested for allegedly posing as a Red Cross worker to break into evacuated homes, the New York Daily News reports. The 49-year-old, who has a criminal record going back decades, was arrested after cops spotted him...

Blood Donations Crash to 15-Year Low

Red Cross 50K units short in June

(Newser) - The American Red Cross is facing a blood donation shortage serious enough that some people may have to cancel elective surgeries. Donations are at their lowest in 15 years. In June, the organization came up 50,000 units short. July isn't looking good, either—a particular problem given the...

Feds Hit Red Cross With $9.6M Fine

FDA sites badly trained staff, poor record-keeping

(Newser) - The feds have slapped the American Red Cross with a $9.6 million fine for careless blood management practices, MSNBC reports. The FDA uncovered no actual harm to blood recipients, but expressed concern over poorly trained staff and slipshod record-keeping: We "cannot definitively say there was never any danger...

$22M in Haiti Texts Revive Red Cross

Fundraising bonanza hits formerly cash-strapped charity

(Newser) - The American Red Cross, which only a year ago turned to the government for a bailout, is now awash in donations thanks to an outpouring of generosity for the Haiti quake victims. The organization had pulled in $103 million as of late Sunday, with $22 million of that coming via...

How You Can Help Haiti Quake Victims

Red Cross, UNICEF, Save the Children all accepting donations

(Newser) - Disaster relief agencies are streaming into Haiti, trying to provide safe water, medical supplies, and temporary shelter for victims of the devastating earthquake there. Here are some ways you can donate to the cause, from the Daily News :
  • Text “Yele” to 501501 to donate $5 to Wyclef Jean’s
...

300 in Limbo as Houston's Last Ike Shelter Closes

Many still wrangling with FEMA, other agencies, blast 'ridiculous lies'

(Newser) - The Red Cross will boot nearly 300 Hurricane Ike survivors from its remaining Houston shelter Sunday, the Chronicle reports, leaving them to the care of federal and local agencies some accuse of “ridiculous lies.” The possibility of transitional housing does little for one FEMA reject, who was told...

Media Focus Elsewhere Hurts Gulf Coast Relief Efforts

Media coverage pales in comparison to Katrina disaster

(Newser) - Relief organizations are struggling to raise funds for their work in hurricane-battered areas of Texas and Louisiana, a marked difference from 2005, when millions flowed in to help Katrina victims. “The camera and the lights didn't stay on” this time, a Red Cross worker tells MSNBC, distracted by fresher...

New York, New York, That Teetering Town

Masters of Universe tighten their belts as Wall Street quakes

(Newser) - Amid the financial fallout, even Manhattan's wealthiest consumers are beginning to curb their spending, Reuters reports. Wall Street tremors and belt-tightening by the rich are bound to hit New York City especially hard, and will rock stores, restaurants—and even charities. "We still have not hit the bottom...

Obama Dials Back Campaigning to Watch Gustav

Supporters received Red Cross donation requests from campaign

(Newser) - Barack Obama curtailed his Labor Day speeches to unions in the Midwest today to keep the focus on the Gulf Coast, asking instead for silent prayer and donations to the Red Cross. Republicans, after scaling back the opening of this week's convention because of Hurricane Gustav, had criticized Obama for...

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