We regularly salute nurses, nurse volunteers and the courageous heart each of them brings to their vocation. Today, we take a look at volunteer nurses who make up the backbone of the American Red Cross.

Officially, the Red Cross Nursing Service was established by Jane Delano in 1909. Yet since its inception, nurses have always been at the heart of the American Red Cross. With the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1888 and the Johnstown floods in 1889, Red Cross nurses have provided assistance in times of disaster and conflict across the country. In addition, Red Cross nursing and  nurses like Jane Delano, Clara Noyes and Julia Stimson, have played a pivotal roles in the evolution of nursing and nursing leadership in the United States.
Today, more than 15,000 nurses are involved at all levels throughout the American Red Cross. Nurses provide  direct services: e.g. local Disaster Action Teams (DAT), Health Fairs, volunteer in military clinics and hospitals, promoting blood collection team, first aid stations. They teach and develop courses including CPR/First Aid, Automatic emergency Defibrillator(AED), Disaster Health Services, Nurse Assistant Training, Babysitting, and Family Caregiving. They take management and leadership roles as Chapter and Blood Services region executives and serve as board members and on the national Board of Governors.
To volunteer locally visit the American Red Cross. To learn more about the important role of volunteer nurses in the American Red Cross in  The Heritage Newsletter, Nursing Matters: Past and Present.
From all of us at Barco’s Nightingales Foundation, thank you for your service and dedication to humanity.
 
~Michael and Frida Donner