May 4, 2006 | Read Time: 1 minute
Blood, Sweat and Tears: An Oral History of the American Red Cross
edited by Michele Turk
As the American Red Cross marks its 125th anniversary, Red Cross staff members and volunteers both past and present share their experiences in this collection of 29 essays, edited by Michele Turk, a journalist and former Red Cross employee.
These men and women describe their work with the Red Cross, dating back to World War II and ending with recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina. During such times of national and international emergencies, the Red Cross “became the organization Americans turn to whether they need help or want to help,” Ms. Turk writes in her introduction.
Many of the articles are written by people who received direct assistance from the Red Cross during a crisis situation. One essay, by Elda Sanchez, a former grocery-store clerk, recounts how Hurricane Andrew swept into Florida in 1992 and destroyed the house she lived in with her sister.
The Red Cross helped her overcome depression in the wake of losing her job and belongings, and she eventually became a volunteer with the organization. She now works full time as a fund raiser for the Red Cross, based in Miami.
The book also examines the organization’s mission beyond disaster relief, and includes seven essays on its blood drives and first aid, CPR, and lifeguard certification programs.
Publisher: E Street Press, 48 Amberfield Road, Robbinsville, N.J. 08691; http://www.estreetpress.com; 250 pages; $22.95; ISBN 0-9777192-0-0.
