Speaking of Teens Who Give Blood... -

Perfect timing since yesterday I was talking about teens providing nearly 15% of all blood collections. Minnesota just passed a law that allows 16-year-olds to give blood with parental consent. Previously the age requirement was 17 (with parental consent), but that was before a teen named Joe Gibson came along…

“Joe became involved in the issue after losing his grandfather to leukemia and subsequently trying to donate blood as a way to memorialize his grandfather’s passing. Joe – who was 15 at the time – was prevented from making a blood donation by a state law which restricts anyone under the age of 17 from doing so, even with parental consent.

In an effort to rectify this issue in state law, Joe met with Rep. Fritz to suggest that the minimum age for donation be reduced to 15 years. After Rep. Fritz heard concerns from some pediatricians that 15 might be too young, Joe – showing a keen ability to navigate the political process – agreed to raise the allowable age of donation to 16 in his proposal. Rep. Fritz then teamed with Sen. Sheran to shepherd companion bills through the House and Senate, eventually passing the bills unanimously through both bodies.”Read the rest here.Great work, Joe! And congratulations to all 16-year-old Minnesotans. You can drive, you can date, and now you can donate!(Apologies…I couldn’t pass up the chance to rhyme and alliterate simultaneously.)