Tuesday, March 2, 2010 10:12 am

With March proclaimed as Red Cross Month by President Barack Obama, the Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region thanks the volunteer blood donors whose efforts enable the Red Cross to respond to disasters down the street, across the country and around the world.

Red Cross Month is a great time for people to join our mission through activities like donating blood; signing up for CPR, first aid or other Red Cross health and safety courses; giving a financial gift or becoming a volunteer.

The American Red Cross touches the lives of millions of people every year through its network of 34,000 employees and more than 600,000 volunteers. These employees and volunteers are located in more than 2,000 cities across the United States and more than 30 countries around the world.

Although major disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires capture national media headlines, the day-to-day work of the Red Cross often takes place in local communities like yours.

You are invited to celebrate Red Cross Month by donating blood on Thursday, March 18, from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at Lions Club Building located at 540 W. Adams St. in Woodbury.

For your convenience, you may now schedule blood donation appointments online at www.redcrossblood.org. You may also call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Donors may subscribe to Red Cross texting by sending redcross to 42227 or registering online at redcrossblood.org.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation in 1943, recognizing the American Red Cross as a true reflection of the humanitarian and volunteer spirit and calling on Americans to “rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross.” Every president since that time recognized the work of the Red Cross through Red Cross Month. President Obama signed the 2010 Red Cross Month proclamation on February 25.