Preparing to Carry Out Lifesaving Mission
The American Red Cross Massachusetts Region is closely monitoring the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and preparing to carry out our lifesaving mission in the event of any possible disruptions. The Red Cross also strongly urges healthy, eligible individuals to give blood or platelets to help maintain a sufficient, blood supply and prevent shortages.
The American Red Cross does not provide COVID-19 tests. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your doctor or healthcare professional.
We are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of our volunteers and employees, transitioning events or trainings to virtual formats, implementing a remote work plan for most staff and volunteers, and ensuring safety protocols are in place at blood drives and all work sites to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Urgent Request
In addition to following guidance from local authorities and working to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we are asking healthy members of the community to help us meet the need for blood.
Give blood. The Red Cross is working hard to maintain a sufficient blood supply due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. Healthy individuals are needed now to donate to help patients including victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients suffering from cancer requiring lifesaving blood.
Learn more about donation safety protocols >
Find a blood drive near you >
The Red Cross is also working to ensure we can continue to carry out other aspects of our lifesaving mission. We are working with public health officials to put plans in place to keep local communities and our workforce safe while still providing emergency shelter and comfort after disasters of all sizes.
The Red Cross continues to operate our Boston Food Pantry, serving clients Wednesday and Saturday mornings at our 1033 Massachusetts Avenue location, and servicing clients in surrounding communities through our Mobile Market program. We also continue to offer our food program for senior citizens and are partnering with the Boston Public School system to serve families in need.
Effective immediately, all Red Cross of Massachusetts events and large volunteer meetings have been canceled or postponed until further notice. This includes our statewide Heroes Breakfast events and the Sound the Alarm events.
Red Cross offices across the state are closed, and all meetings or gatherings are being held via videoconferencing when possible.
As the situation continues to evolve, the Red Cross has taken many measures to ensure the safety of our volunteers and employees and will adjust as necessary.
