March is National Red Cross Month, the time of year where the Red Cross is recognized for the important work it does the entire year round.

The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton as a nonprofit humanitarian organization providing emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education in throughout the United States. One of the most recent appearances in Ohio County came during last June’s fatal flash floods, when the Red Cross opened a pair of distribution centers ­–one in Valley Grove and one in Triadelphia ­­–to help those in need in the flood-stricken areas.

Red Cross Month was first celebrated in 1943 when then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the month to raise awareness about the mission of the American Red Cross during the height of World War II.

There are plenty of ways for us to honor the work the American Red Cross has done in the Ohio Valley and abroad, but there’s one very important way where many of us can contribute. The Red Cross is one of the most prominent organizers of blood donations in America. And these days, blood often is in short supply.

So when you have the opportunity, roll up your sleeve and donate some blood at a Red Cross blood drive. There’s even a Blood Donor app through the Red Cross that allows you to schedule appointments and more.

The American Red Cross has done so much to help others that, especially this month, it would be good to give them a hand, too.