Inspired by the International Red Cross movement established to provide assistance to wounded soldiers, the American Red Cross was established in 1881 by Clara Barton and a number of her acquaintances. The first chapter of the American Red Cross was established in 1881 in Dansville, New York. In 1919, the American Red Cross joined nearly 175 International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations to provide assistance to victims of disaster throughout the world. Today, headquartered out of Washington, D.C., the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of over 700 chapters organized into seven divisions and 36 blood service regions.

Beginning as a relief effort used to provide lifesaving plasma and blood during World War II, the American Red Cross collects nearly half of ...