January is National Blood Donor Month.

Did you know that every time you give blood you’re saving a life? In fact, one donation can save up to three lives, according to the American Red Cross.

If that doesn’t have you rolling up your sleeve, consider the fact that every two seconds someone in America needs blood because of an accident, disease or surgery. That means you or someone you love could benefit from a donation at some point in your life. But blood is often in short supply because it has to be donated — we can’t make it in a lab or pool resources from the cast of “True Blood” (unfortunately).

Fast Facts: What to Know Before You Donate Blood >>

Now that you’re aware of this life-saving super power, make an appointment to donate blood and take our quiz to see how much you know before you go.

1.

About half of the population in the U.S. donates blood each year.

2. Most eligible people can donate blood 6 times a year.

3. The process of donating blood takes about one hour.

4. You can’t give blood if you’re taking birth control pills.

5.

You can’t donate blood if you’re pregnant.

6. Donating blood reduces your risk for cardiovascular disease — the leading cause of death in women and people assigned female at birth in the U.S.

7. Hormone therapy can impact your ability to give blood.

8. You can still give blood if you have a fever.

9. Your bad-ass tattoo means no donating for you.

Correct

Incorrect

false. But where and when did you get that ink?

You should wait three months to donate blood if you got a tattoo in a state that doesn’t regulate tattoo facilities: Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Wyoming and Washington, D.C. Reason: to make sure you don’t have hepatitis, which can spread through contact with infected blood.

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web