Reply #144: I stopped giving to the Red Cross [View All]

[AbbyR]

after reading Robert Massie's book about his son, who had hemophilia. The Red Cross treated the family very badly, requiring them to do blood drives and be on hand for photo ops before they would provide blood, which was not, by the way, provided at no cost to the family.

I had my impression confirmed not too long ago when the Red Cross held blood drives at a small town I know for a local hospital. The hospital eventually changed to another company because of the rudeness and lack of cooperation of the Red Cross.

Also, they would not send representatives to a local Katrina victims' shelter, requiring the victims, many of whom had no cars, to travel 100 miles round trip to sign up for help.

Having said all of that, I have a family member who has worked for the Red Cross as a dedicated volunteer for many years, and I know how much she cares and how hard she has worked.

So I'm torn, but I'd rather give my donations when I can see how they are used.