A tattoo is one of the most personal choices you can make. Using your body as a human canvas is the ultimate form of artistic expression, and the reasons why people decide to get inked vary widely.
July 17th is National Tattoo Day, and despite what you may have heard, in most cases getting a tattoo does not prevent you from donating blood.
Most states regulate tattoo facilities. In those states there is no delay required before donating blood, as long as the establishment uses sterile needles and fresh ink that has not been reused.
Pennsylvania is one of nine states and the District of Columbia that don’t regulate tattoo businesses, which means potential blood donors are required to wait three months after getting a tattoo before giving blood.
We met several blood donors at the recent “I Bleed for Preston and Steve” American Red Cross blood drive that showcased tattoos as unique as their reasons for getting them.
Katy Raiser started donating blood in 2009 at a blood drive at her high school. Her dad is a liver transplant survivor who endured a 10-hour surgery and needed blood transfusions during the operation.
“Blood donations on surgeries like that are super important so I try to do my part to help out other people who need it,” she said.
Katy got her first tattoo on her back and now has at least 17, though she said she has lost track and it’s likely more.
“It was kind of a dedication to my mom who passed away when I was young. After that I just got hooked and clearly haven’t stopped ever since.”
On Katie’s left arm, she has an intricate array of tattoos that illustrate art and science. “I’ve kind of been patchworking this one,” she explained.
Pointing to her right arm, she said “I’m doing a Star Wars theme sleeve so I just got Darth Vader recently.” That took nearly 9 hours to complete.
Mary Mahoney and her husband Melvin Williams are blood donors who also love tattoos. Showing off a tattoo of skulls on her arm, Mary said, “This one was a gift a friend of mine bought me for Christmas 10, 12 years ago.” She then pointed to her left wrist. “This is a flower my husband got for me for Mother’s Day.”
Melvin has his own reasons for getting tattoos. He said, “I always thought they looked cool. Like bikers – they just look cool. And then it just became a thing. You get a tattoo and it’s like, I want more!”
Blood donor Mitch Powers said he has a “bunch of tattoos,” and they all illustrate sports or family. He pointed out his dinosaur tattoo which represents his three kids. He also has a tattoo that shows he’s a Phillies fan.
Mitch said getting tattoos doesn’t really hurt that much but something that hurts even less is donating blood.
“This is definitely ten thousand times less painful than the tattoos,” he said, gesturing to the blood drive behind him.
If you are interested in getting a tattoo, Katy Raiser offered this advice. “It’s really not as scary as people think. If it’s something you’ve always wanted to do, there’s plenty of amazing artists” who are out there and ready to create.
Now, you may be wondering why you have to wait three months in unregulated states to donate blood after getting a tattoo. It’s because of concerns over transmitting Hepatitis. All blood donations are screened for Hepatitis B and C through several tests, but it takes time to properly detect the viruses. People with Hepatitis should not donate blood.
The three-month delay also applies to people who apply their own tattoos, get tattoos in prison or who get tattoos in states with regulations but from unregulated artists or facilities.
Whether you have tattoos or not, the American Red Cross needs your blood and platelet donations this summer. All blood types are needed, especially type O.
You can sign up to give blood or platelets at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-Red Cross, or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
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PHOTO: Katy Raiser gives blood at the "I Bleed For Preston & Steve" blood drive on June 14, 2024. Photos by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross
- Written by Jenny Farley and Alana Mauger
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