FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) 16-Year-Old Blood Donors
Q. Why is the Rhode Island Blood Center allowing 16-year-olds to donate blood now?
A. The Rhode Island Blood Center examined the experiences of other blood collection centers that have accepted 16-year-old donors for many years, and found that reaction rates are not different from those of 17-year-old donors. For many students, their high school blood drive is likely their first exposure to this important act of giving. By becoming a blood donor at an early age, many of these students will carry on donating blood throughout their lifetime.
Q. Is there a blood shortage in Rhode Island?
A.The short answer is no – only because the Rhode Island Blood Center is extremely proactive about blood collection. We must collect up to 280 pints of blood every day (some 100,000 pints a year) to meet the needs of those in our community. Each day brings new challenges and new demands that we are able to meet only by embracing new innovations, such as extending blood donation to 16-year-olds. Our most prolific blood donors are those in the baby boomer generation. It is important that we begin developing the habit of blood donation among our younger generations.
Q. Are other states allowing 16-year-olds to donate blood?
A. Currently, more than 30 other states allow 16-year-olds to donate, including Massachusetts.
Q. Is it safe for 16 year olds to donate blood?
A. Yes, it is safe for a 16-year-old to donate blood. As with all donors, we recommend they are well-rested, drink plenty of fluids and eat a good meal the day of the donation to make it the best possible experience for them. We know from other states' experiences that 16-year-olds are quite capable of donating.
Q. Are 16-year-olds more likely to have adverse reactions when donating blood?
A. No, there has been no evidence of 16-year-olds having a higher rate of adverse reactions. Out of an abundance of caution we have increased the weight requirement for 16-year-olds to 130 pounds to further mitigate any possibility of reactions. It is safe for a 16-year-old to donate blood. As with all donors, it is recommended they are well-rested, drink plenty of healthy fluids and eat a good meal the day of the donation to make it the best possible experience for them.
Q. Why is there a different weight requirement for 16-year-olds than 17-year-olds?
A. Out of an abundance of caution we have increased the weight requirement to 130 pounds to help assure that a 16-year-olds first experience with blood donation is a positive one. By having a good first donation experience there is a greater possibility that this will become a lifelong habit. We have been accepting 17-year-old donors at the 110 pound weight minimum for years, without complications.
Q. Can 16 year olds only donate blood at their high school blood drives?
A. No. Like all donors, we welcome 16-year-olds to donate at any convenient blood drive or at one of our fixed donor locations. They must, however, have the signed parental permission slip.
Q. Why do 16-year-olds need a parental permission slip and not 17-year-olds?
A. According to Rhode Island law parental consent is required for 16-year-olds, but not 17-year-olds. Some schools require parental consent forms for 17-year-old donors, but the Rhode Island Blood Center is not required by law to collect parental consent forms from 17-year-olds. The Rhode Island Blood Center requires all 16-year-olds to have a parental consent form to donate at any donation site including high school blood drives, community blood drives, or any of our donor centers. A new form is required each time a 16-year-old donates.
Q. Where can a 16-year-old find the permission slip?
A. Parental consent forms will be available from Rhode Island Blood Center staff at all blood drives and donor centers. High school blood drives will receive copies of consent forms from the Rhode Island Blood Center account manager before the scheduled drive date. Parental consent forms for 16-year-olds can also be downloaded from the Rhode Island Blood Center’s web site at www.ribc.org.
Q. What form of identification is needed to donate?
The following forms of ID will be accepted:
1. Driver’s license
2. State-issued ID card
3. Student identification card
4. Passport, visa or green card
Q: Why should I give blood?
A. This is a volunteer opportunity like no other. The Rhode Island Blood Center is the only provider of blood to the community hospitals where you live and work. There is still no substitute for human blood. Recipients range in age from infants to the elderly. A small percentage of our population donates blood, while most of us will either need blood in our lifetime or someone close to us will. By donating now, we are paying it forward in anticipation that someone will be there when we need it.
16-Year-Old-Blood-Donor Related Links
16-Year-Old Blood Donors
Parental Consent Form for 16-Year-Old Blood Donors