The benefits of blood donation are endless. Someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds. According to the Red Cross, a single donation can save as many as three lives.

Blood donations can help a wide range of people such as those who are diagnosed with cancer to individuals who have been in a car accident. Donors with type O blood are the most desired for donations because they are considered the “universal donor”. This means those with O blood type can be matched with those who have the other four blood types such as A, B, AB, and O. The side effects of donating blood are minimal and infrequent; namely: lightheadedness, some arm pain and possible continued bleeding at the needle site.

Your donation not only helps others but it saves lives. Consider donating at your local blood drive! You can visit www.redcross.org to find a blood drive near you!