Donating Blood as a Teen: Everything You Need to Know

Ria Sharma
17 minutes ago
4 min read

Every two seconds in the United States, someone needs blood or platelets. That means by the time you finish reading this paragraph, at least five patients somewhere will have needed a transfusion. With nearly 16 million blood components transfused every year in the US, the need for donors continues. Teens who are healthy and eligible can step up. Donating blood as a teenager is not only safe but also one of the most immediate ways to make a difference in your community.

Blood donation is important because blood cannot be manufactured, it can come from donors. There are many lifesaving situations where blood is heavily needed. Some examples include trauma and accident victims, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplants and those living with blood disorders such as sickle cell disease. In the US alone, 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day. Platelets, which are the component that helps blood clot, are also needed because they only last 5-7 days after donation. Without a steady supply, hospitals face shortages that can delay critical treatments. Many hospitals will often schedule their surgeries around the time that blood drives occur.

Young donors help play an important role as in 2021, teens from 16-18 made up 4.2% of all US blood donations. Even though that percentage seems small, every pint that is donated has the potential to help three patients. That's a powerful impact that you can make with just one hour of your time.

So, what’s the minimum age that you can donate? In most US states, you can donate blood at 17 years old, however some states allow 16 year olds with parental consent. In addition to age, there are many other factors that make you eligible such as weight and health. The American Red Cross requires donors to weigh at least 110 pounds or 50 kg. For teen donors under 18, there are special height and weight charts to ensure it’s safe for them to donate. All donors must go through a quick health screening before donating which includes checking temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin levels. Often you will get asked questions such as: Are you an athlete? Have you traveled outside the country in the past three months? Or when was the last time you donated blood? These questions are important as they are factors that can affect your blood and blood pressure. Additionally, it's important as you can donate whole blood every 56 days which is once about every two months. Other donation types like platelets or plasma have different timings for how often you can donate, but whole blood is the most common starting point for teens.

Many teens don’t often really know the benefits of donating blood. Obviously the most important benefit is that you’re saving lives but teens who donate also gain personal rewards. First, you can learn your blood type. Many teens don’t know their blood type and this is a great opportunity to learn this valuable information that can benefit you later on in your life. Secondly, blood donations help foster empathy and responsibility. Knowing that you’ve helped cancer patients, accident victims or newborns in intensive care can boost self-confidence and can give you a strong sense of purpose. Many schools even count blood donations as community service hours, which is a bonus for your college applications.

Research shows why awareness is important. A study from Johns Hopkins found that about 9.5% of adolescent female blood donors developed iron deficiency anemia, compared to 7.9% of adults. That doesn’t mean teens shouldn’t donate, it just emphasizes that monitoring iron intake is important. Being informed makes the experience much healthier and meaningful.

If you are nervous, you’re not alone. Many teens worry about pain, side effects, or safety. Many have concerns that donating blood is not safe. Blood donation is highly regulated by the FDA and organizations like the American Association of Blood Banks. The amount of blood that is taken, usually around one pint, is safe for healthy individuals who meet weight requirements.

In addition, some teens do experience lightheadedness while donating. Research shows that 10.7% of donations from 16 and 17 year olds lead to some kind of reaction which is a much lower rate in older adults. However most reactions are mild. You may feel dizzy but your recovery is usually quick with rest and fluids. If you know that you faint really easily or get really lightheaded, a recommendation I will give you is alert those drawing your blood so they know how to help you in the most efficient way possible.

Good preparation makes the process go much smoother. Here is how to set yourself up for success:

Eat a healthy meal before donating with iron-rich foods. Many blood donation centers or blood centers will provide snacks and liquids to help you feel ready to donate before and after.
Drink plenty of water.
Get a good night’s sleep so your body is rested.
Bring the required materials such as IDs and parental consent forms.
And most importantly, take care of yourself post-donation. Take rest, enjoy the snacks provided, and avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise.

With these steps, most teens feel fine and recover fairly quickly.

In conclusion, donating blood as a teen may seem like a small act but the effects of it are huge. Just one donation can save up to three lives of people who might be battling cancer, recovering from surgery or surviving an accident. If you are 16 or older, talk to your parents and friends about participating in a local blood drive. Additionally, you can talk to your school and organize a blood drive for students at your school. Remember, you don’t need to be a doctor or a nurse to save a life. As a teen donor, you will have the power to be a hero one pint at a time.