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National Health Observances in March

American Red Cross Month
Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.

Today, in addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers compassionate services in five other areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.
The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors—across the street, across the country, and across the world—in emergencies. Each year, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to neighbors familiar and new—the more than half a million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross. Through over 700 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world.

Some four million people give blood—the gift of life—through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. And the Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by military duty stay connected. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of 186 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people.
An average of 92 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. (Taken from www.redcross.org)

For more information, please visit http://www.redcross.org/

National School Breakfast Week (March 8-12)
The ‘School Breakfast – Ready Set Go!’ campaign will introduce students to the importance of school breakfast and will demonstrate how eating school breakfast sets you up for a busy day at school. The “Ready Set Go!” theme will also help students learn about the importance of eating healthy and being active.   The campaign runs from January 2010 to March 2010, culminating during National School Breakfast Week, March 8-12, 2010.  For more information, please visit:

http://docs.schoolnutrition.org/meetingsandevents/nsbw2010/

National Social Work Month
Since its inception, the social work profession has worked to improve life for millions every day. Social workers operate from values that recognize each person as relevant to society and believe that, when needed, society should help each person achieve his or her fullest potential.  For more information, please visit: http://www.socialworkers.org/pressroom/swmonth/default.asp

Due West’s wonderful school social worker is Penny Warren.  She works tirelessly and compassionately to help better the quality of life for our Due West family.  When you see her, please remember to thank her for all she does.

National Poison Prevention Week
National Poison Prevention Week will be held March 14-20, 2010.   For more information, please visit:  http://www.poisonprevention.org/

Diabetes Event to be Held in Atlanta