Bill Would Lower Age To Give Blood

D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. (D-Ward 5) wants to give 16-year-olds the right to donate blood with the consent of their parents or legal guardians - a law already in place in neighboring Maryland and Virginia and he says is necessary to increase donations.

Thomas introduced the bill earlier this week and will hold a press conference at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow with the Children's National Medical Center and Howard University Middle School.

Several council members have already signed on as co-sponsors.

The current age is 17, said Vicky Leonard-Chambers, a spokeswoman for Thomas.

"Introducing this bill has been exciting because of the role our young people played in championing the legislation," Thomas said in a press release. "I received more than 60 letters from the students attending the Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science. Their energy, enthusiasm, and support, and the collaborative nature of the project--working with my staff and Children's National--is an example of the kind of public/private partnership that makes positive change."