When I was in high school back in the 80’s, I came home all proud I had donated blood to the Red Cross. I got in trouble. I got to hear the Korea stories then too. (Didn’t really get “in trouble”, just told to not donate blood to them, that we would buy it if we needed it).
Donated blood to the RC for the first time in the early 60’s. Found out I was O-, universal donor. The RC sold my info and soon I was getting letters from parents whose kids needed my blood. Can you imagine the anguish a 17 year old can suffer having to turn down such pleas? It didn’t take long for me to just dump letters without opening them.
My dad made me swear never to give the Rip-off Cross one cent in my life time. I made this swear—as it stands, I would not give the Red Cross the sweat off my ass if they were dying of thirst. Now I would directly help those in need, but I will never contribute to cover the Rip-off Cross’ general and administration costs.