by Christie Phillips

At a staff Townhall meeting on July 13, Red Cross President Gail  McGovern continued her tradition of providing regular updates on the health of Red Cross.   While the numbers are not yet finalized, she expects that ARC will finish the past fiscal year in the black.  

She remarked ARC staff are now relocated from 2025 to Red Cross Square or Fairfax.  While the sale of 2025 is not yet finalized, the building is fully rented to The State Department and that rent provides a reliable revenue source. 

McGovern remarked about how wonderful it was to be out from under the FDA Consent decree and again thanked Biomedical staff for their diligence and commitment to compliance and excellence.  She also stated that the financial health of Red Cross is much stronger due to the ongoing efforts of all parts of the organization to control costs and increase revenue.  

She singled out Biomed, who in 5 years has cut their deficit in half, increased the number of hospitals serviced by Red Cross, increased their productivity by focusing on blood drives that produce more units, and expanded market share in an environment of shrinking demand.  

Fundraising continues to explore new national giving platforms like Giving Day and Direct Response TV ads.  Health and Safety has grown revenue, is more efficient, and expanding its outreach into industry.  Service to Military Families increased its casework 38 percent and responded to 270 suicide calls.   There is an increased focus on volunteers and identifying work that was formerly contracted out or done by staff including a transportation specialist program recruiting volunteers as blood drivers to transport blood products.