Skip to main content
Saturday, October 31, 2026Oct 31

This story is free to read.

Ask a Doctor: Can 16-year-olds donate blood?

photo Dr. Elizabeth Culler

Q: Can 16-year-olds donate blood?

A: Yes, individuals who are 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health can donate blood in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee with parental consent. The collection of blood from 16-year-olds is recognized as a safe practice. Laws in many states already allow blood collection from these young adults, and many of these states have accepted 16-year-old donors for decades.

— Dr. Elizabeth Culler, Blood Assurance, member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society

Submit your health-related questions for a medical doctor to lwilson@timesfreepress.com.