February 5, 2009
 | KARROW-SPONSORED BLOOD DONOR BILL |
Blood donor legislation, sponsored by Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow that allows
16-year-olds to donate blood with parental consent, was unanimously approved today by the General Assembly.
“Hopefully, by expanding eligibility requirements, we’ll see an increase in much needed blood donations throughout the state,” said Karrow, R-Hunterdon and Warren, noting that hospitals and other health care institutions are facing serious shortages due to a decrease in the donor pool. “While 60 percent of New Jersey adults are eligible to donate blood, only 2.5 percent actually donate.”
According to the New Jersey Hospital Association, blood donations in the Garden State have not kept pace with demand. In 2007, New Jersey had to import 59,011 units of blood from other states due to lack of supply.
The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) reports that 22 states currently allow 16-year-olds to donate blood, two of which do not require parental consent. Ten to 20 percent of whole blood collection nationwide comes from donors who are less than 20 years old. That percentage, however, is higher in states where 16-year-olds can donate blood.
Under current law, the minimum age for donating blood is 17 years of age without parental consent.
“The statistics for blood donations among the teen and young adult population throughout the U.S. is encouraging,” said Karrow. “Potentially, everyone from teens to adults have the opportunity to literally save lives as one donation can save up to three lives. I strongly urge parents and guardians to talk to their children about becoming donors and, most importantly, to lead by example. I also urge hospitals, businesses and associations to sponsor blood drives throughout the year in an effort to bolster supplies.”
The bill, A-3580, now heads to the Senate for a vote.
