The US Red Cross has come under the scanner and asked by its parent group, International Red Cross to cease taking donations from Tobacco Companies. Tobacco has been indicted for causing many dreaded diseases including cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Major Tobacco companies are donating millions of dollars to the American Red Cross as a tax write off. This is tarnishing the image of American Red Cross. Donations taken from tobacco companies are often regarded as dirt money.
However abruptly stopping taking donations from tobacco companies is sure to affect the Red Cross kitty which are needed to finance providing clothing, shelter, and medical assistance to those in need across the US and around the world.
American Red Cross came into existence in 1881 by the efforts of its founder Clara Barton. Barton had served for the International Red Cross overseas before he established the American Red Cross.