Blood is one of the most precious gifts you can give. When you donate blood, it could help a person undergoing surgery, being treated for cancer, or who is suffering from a chronic illness, a traumatic injury or burns. According to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, one person’s blood donation could save up to three lives.

More than 50 years ago, President Richard Nixon issued a proclamation naming January National Blood Donor Month, because it’s the time that healthcare centers need blood the most. Between the hectic holidays and winter weather, fewer people donate blood during the winter months. Covid-19 has also impacted donation numbers: last January, the American Red Cross saw its worst shortage in more than a decade, and proclaimed it a national blood crisis.

Blood is something that must be given—it can’t be made artificially. Volunteers are truly a lifeline. Only three percent of people who are eligible to donate do so yearly, according to the American Red Cross. So the healthcare system is sure to put whatever you can give to good use.

In honor of National Blood Donor month, consider these interesting facts, and then, if you can, make an appointment to give.  

Blood is needed. Every year, about 6.8 million people donate around 13.6 million units of whole blood and red blood cells, according to the American Red Cross. Frequently, the supply doesn’t keep up with demand: every two seconds, someone in this country needs blood or platelets.

Your body will replace what you give—and you have enough to spare. The average adult body has around 10 pints of blood, give or take, and about one pint is taken from donors. The body will replace the red cells in that blood in four to six weeks, says the American Red Cross, and it’ll replace the plasma in just 24 hours. Donors should wait about eight weeks before donating again, in order to give the body a chance to catch up.

By preparing for an appointment, you may feel and do better. Some people become dizzy or lightheaded after giving blood. The good news is, there are some steps you can take to prevent this. Mayo Clinic recommends that donors eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before their appointment. In addition, get a good night’s sleep so you’re feeling your best.

There are free snacks! Usually, blood donation appointments take an hour or a little more, but the donation part only takes a small portion of that time. Procedures will differ by location. But you can most likely expect to fill out some paperwork before your appointment and answer a number of questions about your health. After a brief physical exam, you’ll sit or lie in a chair as your blood is collected. This usually only takes 10 or so minutes. Then, you’ll be asked to slowly stand up and head over to an observation area. That’s where the free snacks come in: you’ll find treats—often sugary—along with beverages to enjoy as you relax. After safely spending a designated amount of time here, and eating what you wish, you can go about your day.

What goes around comes around. Few people plan to ever need a blood transfusion. And yet, according to The University of Chicago Medicine, about one in seven people entering a hospital will need blood. Think about yourself and your family and pay it forward by donating today.

Giving blood is a good deed that will go far in your community. If you’re interested in finding a donation location, visit Giving Life, a site managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that allows you to search by zip code, or talk to your health care provider about who’s in need in your community.

Before you make an appointment at a local center, be sure to ask about who can give. Generally speaking, people who are 17 and older (some places will allow 16-year-olds to give with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and are feeling well and in good health. There are a number of restrictions, however, which include certain medications, travel to certain countries, certain health conditions and others. See this list for some basic insights, but talk with your community blood donation center for specifics.