Teens can donate blood to fulfill court sentence

CLEVELAND (AP) — Troubled teens convicted of low-level crimes can donate blood to fulfill their community service sentence under a new partnership between Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court and the American Red Cross.

Juvenile Court Judge Peter Sikora brought the idea to the Red Cross more than a year ago after learning of large blood shortages.

Sikora says teens who are unable to donate because of medical reasons can volunteer at a blood drive instead, take a CPR class or donate to local food banks.

The minimum age for blood donation is 17.

Program backers hope it will start a trend across the country.