PORTAGE — A blood drive Saturday at Bluebird Tattoo is intended to spread the word that it’s no longer necessary for tattoo recipients to wait 12 months before giving blood.
The rules changed as new regulations diminished the fear of spreading hepatitis and other blood-borne pathogens.
“The laws have been changing over the past few years as states begin to regulate tattoo shops, but people assume the old rules are in effect and so this blood drive is a great way to let people know … you don’t need to wait a year to donate,” said Vince Robinson, external communications manager for the Indiana/Ohio region of the Red Cross.
“The regulations, as they pertain to blood collection, are set by the Food and Drug Administration and they are set because of safety concerns. Over the years as technology has developed, they have revisited the rules, and this is one of those cases. If you’re in a state that regulates tattoo establishments, they know they are not reusing needles, they are not reusing ink, so then the FDA has deemed it safe and it is okay to give blood,” Robinson said.
Bluebird Tattoo’s blood drive is the first of its kind, Robinson said, adding that he appreciates how proactive owner Drew Thomas is being.
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“Everyone who has heard about it thinks it’s a great idea. With tattoos being so popular, especially with young people, we want to get the word out and we don’t want people dissuaded for any reason,” he said.
Saturday’s hours for the blood drive are from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the tattoo parlor, 6230 Central Ave., Portage.
” We have people who come into the studio and tell us they had been turned away from donating, so we are hoping to let people know that the rules have changed. This can affect thousands of people and save lives if people knew. That’s our main goal,” Thomas said.
Greg Leg, owner of Famous Leg Tattoo in Gary, said he was unaware of the policy change and had personally been turned away from giving blood at a major hospital in Lake County.
“Clients told me that they were told they had to wait a year after a tattoo to give blood, and I had it happen to me years ago. I went to a blood drive and they asked me if I had any new tattoos and I was so excited to show it to them, but then they said I couldn’t give,” Leg said.
Thomas said 25 people have already signed up and he hopes for more.
“A lot of my clients are surprised to learn about the policy change and excited to know that they may be eligible to donate blood. I think people love to do the right thing and now they can still pitch in without worrying about getting a new tattoo,” he said.
Heather Augustyn is a freelance reporter.