About the Chapter...

The Cape Cod and Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross has provided emergency response service and health and safety training to the residents of Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard for 90 years, since 1917. 

The American Red Cross is the primary lead agency for mass care emergency relief, Disaster Relief Services, Armed Forces Emergency Services, and Health and Safety Training Services.

All disaster services to victims, police, firefighters and all others responding to emergencies are provided free of charge.  Training is free to Red Cross volunteers.  Our resources are paid only through charitable donations, grants and in-kind support from individuals, foundations and businesses, locally.

The Red Cross is a critical part of the emergency response network on Cape Cod and the Islands.  Our volunteers respond, teach, and care for our community when the need is greatest 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. We are expected to be ready at all times. We are here when help is needed most.

History of the American Red Cross

Clara Barton was helping to care for thousands of soldiers wounded in Civil War battles at about the same time the Red Cross Movement was being formed in Europe.

She learned of the Red Cross Movement during a trip to Europe after the war. After returning home, Barton founded the American Association of the American Red Cross in 1881 and lobbied the United States government to ratify the first Geneva Convention, which was signed in 1882.

In its early years, the American Red Cross devoted much of its resources to disaster relief and easing the suffering of war, including relief for those affected by the Spanish-American War of 1898, when Barton herself accompanied a shipment of Red Cross personnel and supplies to Cuba. In 1900, the Red Cross received a charter from Congress designating it as the organization responsible for providing relief to disaster victims at home and abroad.

Clara Barton stepped down as president of the Red Cross in 1904, after more than 20 years of service to the organization.

Web site maintained by Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, American Red Cross. 286 South Street, Hyannis, MA 02601, tel. (508) 775-1540 or (866) 762-1928. Click here for privacy policy.