January is National Blood Donor Month, a month-long celebration of the selfless act of giving blood. 

Blood donation saves lives. As we start the new year, let us consider giving back in a meaningful way by donating blood. 

Benefits of donating blood

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. By donating blood, you can help save up to three lives. 

Besides the satisfaction of knowing you’ve made a difference, there are other benefits to donating blood. It can help improve your cardiovascular health by reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. 

How to get involved

If you are interested in becoming a blood donor, the easiest way is to locate a blood drive near you by visiting the American Red Cross website or downloading their blood donation app.

You can also contact your local hospitals or health clinics to see if they have blood donation programs.

On the day of donation, ensure that you have eaten well and are well-hydrated.

Before donating, the staff will do a checkup to ensure you are eligible to donate. The process of donating blood is safe, and you may donate once every 56 days. Blood donation centers often accept platelet donations as well, which can be done more frequently and are critical for certain medical conditions.

By spreading awareness and encouraging participation, we can increase the number of blood donors and save more lives. Visit the American Red Cross to find the closest donation center near you.