National Blood Donor Day is Sept. 4. If you ever wanted to do something to help people, but didn’t have money to donate or time to volunteer, giving blood is another way to give back that can potentially save a life — maybe even more than one.

In 2025, giving blood is less painful and more inclusive than you might remember.

More members of the LGBTQ+ community are now welcome to donate blood after the U.S. Federal Drug Administration updated blood donation guidelines in 2023. And just this year, the oft-dreaded finger stick was replaced with a sensor slipped on to a finger to measure a donor’s hemoglobin, the protein in blood that carries oxygen.

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Want to know your blood type? A donation will reveal that information. And the Red Cross now provides free A1C testing, which is used to screen for diabetes and prediabetes.

“One in 10 people in our country have diabetes but nearly a quarter are undiagnosed — and some 80% of those living with prediabetes are also unaware of having it,” Doreen Thomann-Howe, CEO for the American Red Cross in Greater New York, said in a statement. “When offering A1C screening previously in March, we found that over half of donors were unaware of their own A1C levels.”

There’s no substitute for blood, and research continues into the production of artificial blood. Anyone in medical need can benefit from donated blood, from a cancer patient, to an accident victim, to someone undergoing surgery.

“The need for blood is constant, and every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. Although about 62% of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood, only about 3% donate,” Thomann-Howe said. “A single blood donation can help save more than one life.”

Blood donations plummeted during the pandemic, which is when I started regularly donating blood. I am a two-gallon blood donor with the American Red Cross, which means I have donated blood at least 16 times over my lifetime and have two pins to show for it.

A pin for every gallon of blood I’ve donated to the American Red Cross. (photo by Darleene Powells) 

Interested in donating? There are a few things to know before you show up at a blood drive.

Connect

The American Red Cross has a website and a smartphone app, where you can make an appointment at your nearest blood drive site, see where your donated blood goes, and keep track of your past donations. I always make an appointment to donate blood, but other organizations like hospitals may allow walk-ins at their blood drives.

Prepare

The website and app will also be where you complete the RapidPass, a health screening questionnaire, prior to your appointment.

The day before your appointment, drink plenty of water and get a good night’s rest. Avoid rushing to your appointment — I was once in such a hurry, my blood pressure was too high to donate. Remember to bring photo identification.

Feel good

The American Red Cross provides both salty and sweet snacks, water and juices for donors after they give blood. (photo by Darleene Powells) 

After your donation, the Red Cross provides snacks, water and juice to help you replenish your fluids. Take advantage of the refreshments and make sure to take it easy after your donation. I’ve also been admonished not to skip any meals after giving blood.

And don’t forget to feel good about your good deed. You may have helped save a life.