Grantee submission by: John Santa Barbara, Regional Philanthropy Officer
How did the funding or non-monetary support you received from the Foundation impact your organization and/or the community?
The Moses Taylor Foundation supported the Northeast Chapter of the American Red Cross with a purchase of a new RAM Pro Master 3500 Community Emergency Vehicle. This vehicle assists with blood drives and blood product transportation across the Northeast Pennsylvania community. The American Red Cross is the largest single supplier of blood products in the U.S., providing about 40% of the nation’s supply; and last year we collected over 20,000 units of blood in Northeast Pennsylvania from over 1,100 blood drives.
Share a quote or anecdotal story from a client or employee of your organization that illustrates the impact of your work.
For people like Jenapher Blair, who experienced uncontrollable hemorrhaging after childbirth, a blood transfusion meant the difference between life and death. When the hospital didn’t have enough blood on hand, they made an emergency call to the American Red Cross. “We were on borrowed time waiting for the blood to arrive,” shared Jenapher Blair’s doctor, who – with the help of blood products – saved her life.
What do you most want the community to know about your work and/or what excites you most about the future of your organization?
Since our founding by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881, the American Red Cross has been dedicated to serving people in need. We received our first congressional charter in 1900 and to this day we are tasked by the federal government with providing services to members of the American armed forces and their families as well as providing disaster relief in the United States and around the world. In 2021, the Red Cross celebrated 140 years of compassionate service. From blood collection to AED/First Aid/CPR training classes, the American Red Cross continues to fulfill its mission of “The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.”