“Time and time again, church members have rolled up their sleeves to make lifesaving donations.”
American Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern
The American Red Cross and The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints marked the silver
anniversary of association Wednesday by reaffirming their commitment to
work together for folks in need.
Gail McGovern, CEO and
president of the American Red Cross, met with LDS Church welfare leaders
at Welfare Square in Salt Lake City. McGovern announced the recent
signing of a "memorandum of understanding" designed to strengthen their
partnership in humanitarian relief efforts throughout the world.
"This is a chance to say thanks (to the church) for its magnificent partnership with the Red Cross," McGovern said.
The new agreement, she added,
allows the Red Cross and the church to improve coordination in areas of
disaster planning — including training, drills and identifying and
utilizing shelter locations.
Improvements are also expected
in how Latter-day Saint meetinghouse and other church facilities are
used for blood-donation efforts.
McGovern spoke of the proven
willingness of church members to provide blood for those in need. More
than 50,000 units of blood are collected annually through church-hosted
blood drives in the Salt Lake City area. Many more units are donated by
members at other organized blood drives.
"Time and time again, church members have rolled up their sleeves to make lifesaving donations," she said.
Steven K. Petersen, managing
director of Church Welfare Services, said members of the LDS Church are
known for their capacity and willingness to help the Red Cross and other
humanitarian groups in times of need.
"We can mobilize our members very quickly," he said.
McGovern also noted the
church's support of the Red Cross measles vaccination campaign in
sub-Saharan Africa. In the past three years, the church has reportedly
contributed $3 million to the campaign, assisting in the vaccination of
more than 200 million African children.
Both the Red Cross and the
church recognize the importance of preparation before disaster strikes,
she said. The Red Cross and the LDS Church will continue to work
together in conducting training and disaster-preparation drills.
During her visit to church
headquarters, McGovern also toured Welfare Square and met with Elder
Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other church
leaders.
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