Teenage Blood Donors Encouraged but Complications Deter

As the number of Americans age 20 and older who are eligible to donate blood to the nation’s regional blood centers is dwindling, the American Red Cross is relying more heavily than ever on teenage blood donors to help meet the increasing demand for blood.  While complications related to blood donations are infrequent and usually minor, teenagers seem to be more prone to them than their more mature counterparts.  The American Red Cross is evaluating measures to make blood donations safer and more attractive to teenagers while working to change laws prohibiting teens from donating blood in states where the practice is banned. Read more