The American Red Cross announced today that, effective immediately, it will utilize a new phone number, 800-RED- CROSS, or 800-733-2767, as the vehicle for people who wish to make a donation to the American Red Cross over the telephone. The Red Cross recently obtained the use of this phone number through the assistance of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)."We are very grateful for the support and decisive action of the FCC, led by Commissioner Kevin Martin, that enables us to use 800-RED-CROSS," said Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross. "This has been an important objective of the Red Cross for decades since many people have incorrectly believed that 800-RED-CROSS was our number. Thanks to the FCC, our supporters will now be correct when they dial it."
Hurricane Katrina underlined the phone number's importance to the Red Cross. The organization made emergency use of the number when tens of thousands of hurricane victims called the number to access financial assistance.
This winter, the Red Cross expects to announce 800-RED-CROSS as its main directory number for major public-facing purposes, such as giving donations and requesting emergency assistance. Consolidating these major functions with one easy-to-remember toll-free number will simplify the process of contacting the Red Cross and will eventually eliminate the need for the multiple numbers now used. Further announcements will be made when all technical arrangements are complete.
The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors -- across the street, across the country and across the world -- in emergencies. Each year, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to neighbors familiar and new -- the nearly 1 million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross. Through more than 800 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world. Some 4 million people give blood -- the gift of life -- through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by military duty stay connected. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of 181 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. Marsha J. Evans is the President and CEO of the American Red Cross.
© 2005 HealthNewsDigest.com