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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > April > 22 > Entry
16-year-olds could donate blood
A bill to allow 16-year-olds to donate blood with parental consent passed the Ohio Senate on Wednesday, April 22, by a unanimous vote.
Currently, 17- and 18-year-olds can donate blood without parental consent but those 16 and under may not donate blood at all.
Mike Farley, lobbyist for the American Red Cross-Central Ohio, said high school students now account for 10 percent of all blood donations. Less than five percent of Americans donate blood but 85 percent will need a blood product at some point before they reach age 75, he said.
Farley expects the law change will result in an additional 10,000 donated units per year.
The bill now moves to the Ohio House for consideration.
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Comments
By Shelby Quinlivan
April 23, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this
As of September 2007, Community Blood Center accepted 16 year old donors with a parental consent form. CBC has had an overwhelming response from these donors.By britt
April 22, 2009 10:09 PM | Link to this
I graduated in 71, I started giving blood at 15. my high school had 2 blood drives a year. I went to littleton High School so some might say it was a precursor. By the time I was 18 I had donated enough that i got a red cross car for free blood for life.By cheer/band mom
April 22, 2009 8:09 PM | Link to this
I know at Franklin High School’s last blood drive that 16 year olds DID donate as long as the parents signed off on it.