As the pandemic wears on, research shows that more people want to help those in need. This month, we celebrate this humanitarian spirit during Red Cross Month and ask others to join us.

For almost 80 years, the president of the U.S. has proclaimed March as “Red Cross Month” to honor people giving back through our lifesaving mission — which is powered by more than 90% volunteers.

• Last year, more than 70,000 people across the country became new volunteers to support urgent disaster and essential blood donation needs, such as checking people’s temperature at blood drives and transporting critical blood to hospitals.

• With last year’s wildfires and hurricanes, we saw the greatest number of billion-dollar disasters to ever strike our country in a single year. Families – including many families in the Bay Area – lost their homes, spending more nights in emergency lodging than in any other year over the past decade. To help, licensed Red Cross mental health and spiritual care volunteers provided emotional support, psychological first aid and referrals to community resources. Together, they made more than 53,000 mental health and spiritual care contacts to help people during disasters.

• In addition, thousands of COVID-19 survivors have rolled up a sleeve to share their potentially lifesaving antibodies by giving plasma. Since last April, more than 56,000 COVID-19 survivors have donated — including many who are new to giving blood. Their donations have enabled the Red Cross to ship about 146,000 units to hospitals across the country treating COVID-19 patients.

You can help ensure that families don’t face emergencies alone — especially during a pandemic:

Support our Disaster Relief efforts at redcross.org/GivingDay. A gift of any size makes a difference to provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance. Your donation will be part of our annual Giving Day on March 24 to aid families in need across the country.

Visit redcross.org/VolunteerToday to view our most-needed positions and local opportunities.

If you’re healthy and feeling well, make an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org. Your donation can make a lifesaving difference for a patient in need. As a thank you, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma between March 15-26 will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Learn lifesaving skills like CPR and first aid to help in an emergency at redcross.org/TakeAClass. Online options also include our Psychological First Aid for COVID-19 course, which covers how to manage stress and support yourself and others.

Help the Red Cross continue to provide shelter and medical aid by giving a monetary donation or update your beneficiary today to keep saving and giving!