As the holiday season approaches, giving blood can be a gift to add to the to-do list.

Donors can give blood every 56 days, must be at least 16 years old, and be in good health and feeling well on donation day, according to Red Cross guidelines.

“Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood,” the Red Cross says. Donations also help people with sickle cell and other chronic diseases.

Some drives offer incentives, such as exclusive merchandise. For example, donors who give blood through Dec. 7 at select locations can get a pair of collaborative Red Cross/PAC-MAN socks while supplies last. At various times throughout the year,

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