Blood Bank welcomes donors with tattoos
Posted: Friday, December 07, 2007
SIOUX CITY -- Siouxland Community Blood Bank has announced new rules for donor restrictions concerning tattoos. As of Dec. 3, individuals who received a tattoo from a state-licensed and state-inspected facility are now eligible to donate blood.
"In the past, a new tattoo meant an automatic 12-month deferral," said Tim Hess, SCBB director of marketing. "Now, depending on where the donor got the tattoo, it may not be a problem."
In 2007, SCBB has averaged more than 50 donor deferrals per month because the donors had recently received a tattoo, a total nearing 600 through November.
"Those deferred donors could have made a positive impact on thousands of lives across Siouxland," said Hess. "Now they’ll have a chance to step up and be a hero."
Donors who received their tattoos in an inspected and licensed facility in Iowa or South Dakota will be allowed to donate blood. These facilities use single-use ink and a sterile needle. Other qualifying states include Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Oregon and Texas.
Donors who receive tattoos in a non-regulated facility or in a state not on the list, including Nebraska, will have to wait 12 months from the date they received their tattoo before they are allowed to donate blood.
"In the past, a new tattoo meant an automatic 12-month deferral," said Tim Hess, SCBB director of marketing. "Now, depending on where the donor got the tattoo, it may not be a problem."
In 2007, SCBB has averaged more than 50 donor deferrals per month because the donors had recently received a tattoo, a total nearing 600 through November.
"Those deferred donors could have made a positive impact on thousands of lives across Siouxland," said Hess. "Now they’ll have a chance to step up and be a hero."
Donors who received their tattoos in an inspected and licensed facility in Iowa or South Dakota will be allowed to donate blood. These facilities use single-use ink and a sterile needle. Other qualifying states include Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Oregon and Texas.
Donors who receive tattoos in a non-regulated facility or in a state not on the list, including Nebraska, will have to wait 12 months from the date they received their tattoo before they are allowed to donate blood.
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dave wrote on Dec 7, 2007 5:11 PM:
Jamie wrote on Dec 7, 2007 1:21 PM:
abe wrote on Dec 7, 2007 6:41 AM: