Minnesota Red Cross expects hundreds more to donate blood with new tattoo rule

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Minnesota Red Cross expects hundreds more to donate blood with new tattoo rule

Article by: Associated Press
Updated: April 20, 2012 - 9:14 AM

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ST. CLOUD, Minn. - The Minnesota Red Cross expects hundreds more blood donors each year now because a tattoo waiting period has been lifted.

People with tattoos used to have to wait 12 months before donating blood to protect against the spread of disease caused by unlicensed tattoo artists reusing needles and ink.

But with a relatively new law in Minnesota that requires all body art technicians to be licensed, the Red Cross has lifted the waiting period. Red Cross Minnesota's Sue Gonsior says 1,000 additional donors are expected across the state.

The St. Cloud Times ( http://on.sctimes.com/I9phfd) says more than 133,000 people donated blood in Minnesota last year.

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Information from: St. Cloud Times, http://www.sctimes.com