16-year-olds eligible to donate blood Tuesday

The local American Red Cross is launching a campaign to encourage 16-year-old high school students to start a lifelong habit of donating blood.

A bill signed into law July 6 by Gov. Ted Strickland made 16-year-old residents eligible to donate blood beginning Tuesday with written parental or guardian consent. Residents older than 16 may donate without parental permission.

This means that now even more high school students can help to save a life and make a difference in their communities by donating blood, said Christy Chapman, communications manager for the Northern Ohio Region of the American Red Cross Blood Services.

For the complete story, see Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com