Tattoo Rule Eased, More Blood Donors Expected
ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Red Cross could receive hundreds more blood donors each year after lifting a waiting period required for people with tattoo.
The St. Cloud Times reports 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 requiring 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 says more than 133,000 people donated blood in Minnesota last year.
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