American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay

Chief Executive Officer: Deborah C. Jackson

Mission Statement
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader and Massachusetts native Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguished itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.

Through more than 800 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people each year gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world. Today, in addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers compassionate services including: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.

An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. The American National Red Cross is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

With nearly 3,500 volunteers supporting its mission, people across 127 cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts are able to receive training or service from the Massachusetts Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross through Disaster Response and Preparedness, Health and Safety Training, International Services, Armed Forces Emergency Services, Health Care Job Training, and Hunger Relief. Founded in 1905, the Massachusetts Bay Chapter, currently headquartered in Cambridge, has field offices in Boston, Brockton, Fall River, Melrose, New Bedford, Peabody, Quincy, and Waltham.

In 2006, the Massachusetts Bay Chapter:

Taught more than 100,000 Massachusetts residents how to protect themselves and their families or to help others in an emergency through classes in First Aid, CPR, Lifeguard training, Babysitter training, and more.

The Cambridge headquarters of the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay is located at 139 Main Street in Kendall Square and is accessible by the Kendall Square MBTA station.

Fact Sheet and Service Stats-at-a-Glance: An Overview of Programs and Services of the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay and 2005 Stats

A list of the communities served by the Massachusetts Bay Red Cross Chapter

A map of Red Cross Chapters in Massachusetts

Media Contacts and story ideas

 

General Info: 1-800-564-1234
Media Contact: Hugh Drummond Director of Communications (617) 274-5230