Celebrating life-saving work of the American Red Cross in March

Through a network of staff and generous volunteers, the American Red Cross prepares for and responds to emergencies, big and small, and that work is celebrated every year in March.

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The American Red Cross has hundreds of chapters serving communities across the world. Through a network of staff and generous volunteers, the organization prepares for and responds to emergencies, big and small, and that work is celebrated every year in March.

Although they are widely known for their disaster response, the American Red Cross does so much more.

Meteorologist Kristen Currie spoke with Alex Villa, Director of Latino Engagement with the American Red Cross, to find out what other services the organization provides and how the public can support the mission.

Kristen Currie, KXAN News: March is a special month - March is Red Cross Month. So joining us today from the American Red Cross is Alex Villa. Alex, Red Cross does so many wonderful things for our community and across the world. Give me a debrief here. What are some of the highlights of the organization?

Alex Villa, Director of Latino Engagement American Red Cross: More than 80 years ago, Franklin Roosevelt issued the first national proclamation for March to be Red Cross month. And ever since then, the Red Cross has been a fabric in the community of hope and resilience. And so we're really excited to be celebrating Red Cross this month

The Red Cross is often known as a disaster based organization, but there's a lot more that the Red Cross does that's not seen in our everyday work. And I think that it is really important to share that in the United States, one in every seven patients entering a hospital right now will need life saving blood transfusion. That could be for scheduled emergencies, car accidents, cancer patients, sickle cell patients. And so really, the Red Cross is out there providing life saving blood supply to those in need.

We are also responding to a disaster every eight minutes in the country. Climate driven disasters are growing in frequency and intensity across the U.S. And so Red Cross is there to provide that hope and relief to those in need through sheltering, feeding, emergency aid and assistance, and psychological first aid. Red Cross is ready to help individuals deal with some of the crazy and catastrophic events we've seen this year.

Currie: And not only do y'all respond, you are typically and often times, the first ones on scene when it comes to those who are there to help those going through tragedy. In addition to the disaster services, you guys have a big push for making sure everybody has a working smoke detector in their home or in their residence. Talk to me more about that?

Villa: We know that smoke alarms in the home can significantly reduce the amount of fire-related fatalities. And so the Red Cross is committed through our Sound the Alarm program, to install free smoke alarms in communities that need us most. We're really excited that this Saturday, March 2nd, the Red Cross and our partners will be out in Dove Springs in southeast Austin, installing free smoke alarms using the power of our volunteers. So if you're interested, we would love to have individuals volunteer and they can sign up at www.soundthealarm.org

Currie: How can we help Red Cross? What are some different ways that we can get involved?

Villa: Well, we know the Austin community is very giving. And we know that next week on March 6th and 7th is Amplify Austin, so we ask that anyone interested in supporting the Red Cross please donate during this time. We also ask that if individuals are eligible, please donate blood. The need is constant and the reward is instant. And if you're also interested in you can become a Red Cross volunteer or take a CPR and first aid course.

Currie: Different ways to get involved all valuable for yourself your family that community Alex via with the American Red Cross. Thank you so much for joining us today.

For more information on the Central Texas region's Red Cross chapter, click here.