American Red Cross

The American Red Cross (ARC), also known as the American National Red Cross, is a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S. affiliate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. It is the largest single supplier of blood and blood products in the United States, collecting and processing approximately 40 percent of the blood supply and distributing it to about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. The organization researches and tests to protect the safety of the blood supply. It was among the first to develop and implement testing for many infectious diseases including, HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses, West Nile virus, and Chagas disease. The ARC operates the nationwide hemovigilance program to examine donor and patient adverse reactions. Data from the program is used to enhance blood product quality and safety The ARC serves on key committees of AABB and other blood-related organizations, and works closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The American Red Cross was established in 1881 and is headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia with 39 immunohematology reference laboratories nationwide.

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