PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can be hard to take a step back and think about how you can help your community. But Caitlin Grimaldi Flick, the Rhode Island Blood Center's Marketing and Communications Manager, tells 12 News that the need for blood is constant, even during the busiest time of year. How do I sign up to donate blood? Grimaldi Flick says the first step is booking an appointment at the Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) website — or just walking in! "If you're out shopping, running around, and you see our mobile bus or you see a blood drive happening, we do take walk-ins," Grimaldi Flick said. "You just have to come in and fill out some paperwork. It's very easy." Make an appointment to donate blood here What happens next? The RIBC conducts a mini health exam on all potential donors, which includes blood pressure and temperature checks. Grimaldi Flick explained that this is how they ensure donors are healthy enough to donate. The blood donation process doesn't take long, she said. "After you donate blood, you just hang out and refresh for about 15 minutes. Eat some cookies, drink some juice, and you're on your way, knowing that you saved three lives." How much blood is needed? The RIBC requires an average of 250 donations a day to maintain a stable local blood supply, Grimaldi Flick told 12 News. Of course, those numbers increase when Rhode Island is called upon to help other areas where there is a massive need for blood, such as after a devastating hurricane. How often can I donate? Healthy donors can donate blood every 56 days — "once a season," Grimaldi Flick said. Platelets, on the other hand, can be donated every two weeks. "Platelets are a kind of very special blood product. We call it liquid gold," Grimaldi Flick explained. "Those are most often used to help cancer patients, like the children at Hasbro Children's Hospital ... that's why we encourage everyone to at least consider donating platelets." Who else donates blood? Grimaldi Flick said the blood center has seen a decrease in youth donors. "We couldn't get into schools for a couple of years, so we weren't able to touch that younger generation and educate them on the importance," she told 12 News. "So we've seen about a 50% decline in youth donations since the pandemic, and during the holiday break we actually see about a 20% decline just in Thanksgiving week alone." Why should I donate? Everyone who donates blood between now and Sunday, Dec. 1, will receive a free long-sleeved T-shirt that says "I yam a lifesaver" with a little photo of a yam, Grimaldi Flick said. The blood center also has other incentives planned for the rest of the year to entice hesitant would-be donors. "It's really important that you just come out," she stressed. "Make the time. Take it as a break, take it as 'me time,' and save up to three lives in less than an hour." Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Good News SIGN UP NOW