The Willfords, a family in South Jordan, Utah, lives with the constant fear of a life threatening disease. Their daughter, Lola, suffers from a rare blood disorder, Diamond Blackfan Anemia. Blood donations have saved her life multiple times, and without blood donations Lola's life is on the line. Rachel, Lola's mother, said, "Through Lola's disease, we have been exposed to a world of people who are dependent on blood donations. Without these donors, we don't know how many times we would have lost Lola."
The Willfords aren't the only family in Utah who have relied on blood donations, and because of this, the Red Cross working with Representative Stephen Handy, is proposing a bill that would lower the blood donation age requirement to sixteen (H.B. 64). Currently, the Utah Code, Title 15, Chapter 2, Section 5 states that an "eighteen year old minor" may donate blood without parental consent. At seventeen it may be donated with parental consent. Bill H.B. 64, if passed, would increase the blood supply (ten to twenty percent) and establish a lifelong habit of blood donating for Utah's youth. The Red Cross, and other blood donation agencies, hope to start blood drives at schools for both Seniors, and Juniors. It may also increase Utah teen's sense of community and purpose. Utah would not be the first to adopt this legislation; in fact, thirty nine other states have already passed a similar bill.
H.B. 64 passed the House with no opposition (seventy two to zero). It earned favorable recommendation from Senate Standing Committee, and as of February 10, 2011 is standing by for its second reading in the Senate. We are very excited about the possibilities of this bill and what it may contribute to our community!
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