Mary Ann Charneski, age 13, of Cleveland, Ohio, for her question:
HOW OLD IS THE AMERICAN RED CROSS?
The American Red Cross, officially called the American National Red Cross, was founded in 1881 by the American philanthropist Clara Barton and first chartered by Congress in 1900. A second charter, still in force, was granted in 1905.
Under the terms of the charter, the American Red Cross is required to serve members of the armed forces and their families; to carry on a system of national and international relief to alleviate suffering caused by pestilence, flood, fire and other disasters; and to devise measures for preventing such calamities.
The organization is directed by a board of governors consisting of 50 persons, of whom 30 are elected by the local chapters, 12 are chosen by the board itself and eight are appointed by the President of the United States, who designates the chairperson.
National headquarters for the organization is in Washington, D.C. There are four field offices, 59 divisions and 3,000 local chapters.
The disaster services programs sets up disaster preparedness plans and, when disaster occurs, provides emergency care for disaster victims and rehabilitation assistance to help individuals and families resume normal living.
The blood services program is the largest blood donor service in the world. Blood, given by voluntary donors, is collected, processed and made available to doctors and hospitals for the use of patients. Clinical research is an integral part of the service.
The nursing and health services program enrolls registered nurses to serve in disasters, sponsors classes in home nursing and preparation for parenthood, works in the blood service program and assists in other health services provided for communities.
Under the auspices of the safety services program, trained instructors, most of them volunteers, teach first aid, small craft and water safety and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
In the youth services program, young people take responsibility in leading, planning and carrying out Red Cross services in a community.
In the International Red Cross services programs, members work with the international body in providing supplies, funds and disasters specialists for relief in major foreign disasters.
The International Red Cross, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, has 126 national red cross societies. Initiative for founding the group came from the 19th century Swiss philanthropist Jean Henri Dunant. A first international conference was held in October 1863 with delegates from 16 nations.
Dunant was a co recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901. The International Red Cross has been awarded three Nobel Peace Prizes: in 1917, 1944 and 1963. It shared the 1963 prize with the League of Red Cross Societies.