16 year olds can now donate blood in South Carolina
Many teens have expressed an interest in donating blood, and in March, 2008, legislation was passed in South Carolina permitting 16 year olds to donate. On December 1, 2008 The Blood Connection began accepting donations from 16 year olds. South Carolina joins 28 other states currently collect donations from this age group. Several states have been accepting blood donations from 16 year olds for years. In fact, Washington has been allowing teens to donate for more than 30 years!
Lowering the donation age to 16 helps strengthen the community blood supply, and for many teens, donating blood is a way to express maturity and civic responsibility. The State of South Carolina requires 16 year olds to have written parental or legal guardian consent to donate blood. The Blood Connection is required by law to collect parental consent forms from all 16 year old donors. In addition to written consent, 16 year olds will be expected to present a government-issued document listing birth date, preferably a photo ID.
Blood donations can be given at any of these following locations: click here
