SB1449~Minors, Blood Donors

Tomorrow in the House Health Committee, SB 1449, blood donors, will be heard. The American Red Cross supports thh

SB 1449 recently passed the Senate by a vote of 24-1 and seeks to clarify existing statute relating to blood donations and lowers the blood donor age to include 16 and 17 year-old minors with written parental consent.

Background

Nationally and in Arizona, there is a need for additional blood donor collections in order to provide our hospitals with the necessary blood supplies they need to operate efficiently. Today, the majority of American Red Cross Blood Services regions operate with less than one day’s supply of blood.

Due to age, previously eligible donors often become unable to donate and may become blood recipients themselves. Continuing to grow a healthy donor base will greatly assist in meeting the needs of Arizona’s patients. Furthermore, being eligible to donate is an important opportunity to expose young people to the benefits of a lifetime of community service through blood donation. The Red Cross views the requirement of parental consent for minor donors a vital tool in educating parents and their children on the importance of blood donation as an important civic duty.

Collection of blood donations from 16-year olds has proven to be a safe, acceptable practice and 16 states have adopted this as their minimum donation age. Additionally, legislation is being prepared or pending in the states of Kentucky, Georgia, Minnesota, Michigan, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin to enable blood donations from 16-year olds.