New Rules For Blood Donations

FARMINGTON –– Beginning January 30, volunteer donors at American Red Cross blood drives in Connecticut will be required to provide identification before donating at a blood donation center or blood drive. If a prospective donor is unable to provide appropriate identification, he or she will not be allowed to donate

The new policy was implemented to ensure that all blood donors are properly identified in Red Cross records, are not currently disqualified from donating, and can be reached for follow-up if needed.

The acceptable identification is a government-issued picture identification, such as a driver’s license, or a Red Cross blood donor card.

If a prospective donor does not have either of these, he or she will be required to provide two other forms of identification. The following forms of identification are acceptable: school/work/military ID, professional license or certificate, union cared, sheriff’s card/age of majority card, voter registration card, passport/green card/birth certificate, bank charge card with photograph, or a donor card from a non-Red Cross blood center.

A high school student who does not have acceptable identification will be required to have his or her identity and age verified by a school official.

The next blood drive in Newtown will be held on Monday, January 12 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main Street, from 8:30 am to 6:15 pm. It is a being sponsored by the Newtown Lions Club and the Newtown Woman’s Club, GFWC, with the Women Involved in Newtown (WIN) providing refreshments.

Anyone age 17 or older who weighs 110 pounds or more and is in generally good health is probably eligible to donate blood. Call 800-GIVE LIFE (800-448-3543) to make an appointment for any blood drive in Connecticut. Appointments may also be requested by visiting the website at www.bloodct.org.