Below-zero temperatures are a good excuse to find useful things to do indoors, so here’s an idea: Donate a pint of blood.

Columnist Mary Shaniqua, who undergoes monthly transfusions because of sickle cell, thanks the blood donors who make it possible.

January is National Blood Donor Month. LifeShare Blood Center encourages everyone to come out and donate blood. They say, 65% of the population are eligible to donate but only 3% does. The entire donation process takes less than 60 minutes including pre-screening interview.