(Montana's News) - If you have a tattoo and want to donate blood the wait is finally over after the Food and Drug Administration lifted a year-long waiting period for blood donors who have tattoos.
Donors who have had tattoos done at a licensed parlor are now eligible with no wait time. Darla Ewer the donor Recruitment Supervisor for American Red Cross of Montana says safety was the main concern of having the 12 month waiting period.
"Tattoos are popular, you know, people would get them and have to go a year without being able to donate once or twice a year, get another tattoo go another year without being able to donate again. So, any tattoo that's done at a licensed parlor with sterile needles or the ink that's not reused and which is fine, so they are eligible."
The restrictions were lifted in eight other states and American Red Cross officials say there's been an increase in donors since the policy change.
