NOTE: The Red Cross will never email you to ask you to "update" your credit card, Social Security number, or any other information of that nature. You should resist responding to any email from any organization or institution asking for this information, regardless of how authentic the email appears to be. Call that organization or find their website online by doing a search through a reputable search engine such as Google.

For over a century, the Red Cross has worked to improve the quality of human life, to enhance self-reliance and concern for others, and to help people prevent, prepare for, and cope with emergencies. Founded in 1905, the Central Maryland Chapter touches thousands of lives every day. In all we do, our mission remains to help prevent and relieve human suffering.

Mission: The mission of the American Red Cross is to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. For nearly a century, the Central Maryland Chapter has worked diligently to fulfill that mission on behalf of residents in Central Maryland.

History: The American Red Cross, Central Maryland Chapter (ARC-CMC) was founded in 1905 as part of the American National Red Cross, the nation's foremost humanitarian organization. The Central Maryland Chapter has a proud history of providing emergency disaster relief, services to members of the Armed Forces, blood services and health and safety programs for all ages. In 1999, the chapter was one of the first agencies to meet the Standards for Excellence of the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations. A more detailed history of the American Red Cross is available www.redcross.org.