American Red Cross and Dell Expand Partnership, Using the Power of Social Data to Support Disaster Relief and Blood Donor Services

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Apr 20, 2015, 01:00 ET

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross and Dell are joining forces to show how social media and social data can help solve a broad range of humanitarian issues with the opening of a Digital Operations Center in San Jose, California and a new project to use social data to engage Red Cross blood donors.

The Red Cross, in partnership with Dell, is opening its third Digital Operations Center in San Jose, which will continue to build on the organization's ability to connect with people during disasters. The Red Cross launched its first national Digital Operations Center in Washington, D.C., with Dell in March 2012. The other is in Dallas and recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. This newest center provides another location for additional social monitoring—particularly during large regional disasters.

The Red Cross supplies nearly 40 percent of the nation's blood supply and maintaining a steady supply of donors is vital to supplying the needs of blood recipients nationwide. In addition to the new Digital Operations Center, a new Dell grant and Dell Digital Business Services will help the Red Cross optimize their social presence to attract new blood donors, encourage more blood drives and help existing blood donors to expand their relationship with the Red Cross.

"The relationship between Dell and the Red Cross has been critical in helping the Red Cross use social media to carry out its disaster response mission," said Suzy DeFrancis, chief public affairs officer, American Red Cross. "We're extremely grateful for the Dell grant and support from Dell Digital Business Services. We're excited to launch our third Digital Operations Center and expand the partnership to further support innovation in the humanitarian space."

The new Digital Operations Center provides a hub of expertise on the West Coast where volunteers can work with their emergency manager partners to provide social data for regional responses. Recent disasters have shown that having a better view of the social conversation helps the Red Cross anticipate disaster needs and connect more people with resources during an emergency.

"Connecting people quickly to aid is critical in times of disaster," said Raman Sapra, executive director and Global Head, Dell Digital Business Services. "We're thrilled to expand our support of the American Red Cross and analyze social data to help their organization provide real-time disaster relief and increase life-saving blood donations."

Dell and the Red Cross have a shared vision to empower people to get involved in humanitarian efforts through social media. Over the course of 20 years, Dell has generously donated more than $1.3 million to support Red Cross disaster relief and social media efforts. To date, Dell employees gave a total combined contribution of over $266,000 globally to disaster relief and recorded 7,500 hours of volunteer time between 2010-2014.

Using Social Data to Attract and Retain Blood Donors

The latest grant from Dell will provide the Red Cross with a new level of insights and analytics from listening and tuning to optimization as it relates to blood donors. Dell Digital Business Services is working with the Red Cross to provide social media listening tools, engagement services, and enhancements to the existing blood donor engagement process, and to create a social media care channel that provides earlier insight into potential challenges.

Visit Redcross.org to learn more about how you can support the Red Cross as a blood donor and to help your neighbors through social media before, during and after a disaster.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

About Dell
Dell Inc. listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services that give them the power to do more. Dell works with nonprofits to address pressing social issues by donating a combination of Dell technologies and solutions, funding, expertise and volunteer support. Learn more at www.dell.com/communities or follow us on Twitter at @Dell4Good @DellServices.

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SOURCE American Red Cross