The American Red Cross Challenges Americans to Get Prepared, Be Prepared

Grassroots Efforts Encourage Personal Readiness During National Preparedness Month

WASHINGTON, Thursday, September 09, 2004 — Working to make personal preparedness a priority for every city, neighborhood and household, the American Red Cross joins a coalition of national organizations—including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security—in launching National Preparedness Month. Throughout the month of September, the Red Cross’ nearly 900 chapters and Blood Services regions nationwide will be hosting a variety of events to bring the preparedness message home to the communities they serve. There will be a special focus on September 18th, the Red Cross’ first “Together We Prepare Saturday.”

The Red Cross launched Together We Prepare in February 2003 to help the public prepare for disasters and emerging threats of all kinds before they happen. The program challenges individuals, schools and businesses to take five proactive steps: (1) make a plan; (2) build a kit; (3) get trained; (4) volunteer; and (5) give blood to help make themselves, their families and their neighborhoods safer. Together We Prepare Saturday is an ideal way for the Red Cross to engage communities nationwide on practical advancements toward preparedness.

In an effort to make preparedness easier, the American Red Cross also launched an online store at www.RedCross.org/shop where prepackaged preparedness products can be purchased. These products include Emergency Preparedness Kits, First Aid Kits, Safety Tubes and reference guides that are perfect for individuals, homes, workplaces and vehicles.

“National Preparedness Month is a time for Americans to be reminded of the importance of preparedness. We want the public to know that the Red Cross is their resource,” said Marsha J. Evans, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “The goal is to create an overall culture of preparedness—one where readiness is top of mind everywhere we live, learn and work.”

The American Red Cross is committed to working with government agencies and our corporate partners to educate the American public on the need to be prepared. Preparedness is a collaborative effort and the responsibility of every individual.

Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of nearly 900 field units dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1 million volunteers and 36,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 70,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and keeps U.S. military families connected worldwide. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation and also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts at locations worldwide. Marsha J. Evans is the President and CEO of the American Red Cross.