American Red Cross
National Headquarters
Washington 13, D.C.

STATEMENT OF POLICY REGARDING NEGRO BLOOD DONORS

The following policy has been formulated by the Chairman of the American Red Cross in consultation with the Surgeons General of the Army and of the Navy, and is issued with the approval of the Secretaries of War and of the Navy. All blood donor centers and chapters cooperating in the enrollment of voluntary blood donors will conform to this policy:

“The facilities for processing blood plasma having now been expanded considerably to meet not only the increased needs of the armed forces but those of civilian emergencies as well, the American Red Cross, in agreement with the Army and the Navy, is prepared hereafter to accept blood donations from colored as well as white persons.

“In deference to the wishes of those for whom the plasma is being provided, the blood will be processed separately so that those receiving transfusions may be given plasma from blood of their own race.”

January 21, 1942