Tattoo wait period lifted for blood donors in Virginia

The Red Cross lifts a 12-month waiting period for people who got a tattoo and want to donate blood in Virginia.

The lifting of the wait period is only for those who got a tattoo at a state regulated parlor. The Red Cross says they made the change, after tougher regulations from the state were put in place. Licensed tattoo parlors and shops must use sterilized needles and inks for each person who wants a tattoo.

“Every blood donor is needed and while we have no clear idea as to how many people the change will impact going forward it will avoid unnecessarily deferring a potential donor willing to share their life-sustaining donation with someone who needs it now,” said Bob Lutjen, spokesman for the Appalachian Region Blood Services, in a news release.