Lifeline provides annual opportunity to donate

Have you ever tried to donate blood and been turned down because of a tattoo, body piercing or flu shot?

Thanks to some recent regulation changes, these issues may not prevent you from donating in the future.

There are now many states, including Tennessee, which regulate or license tattoos and body piercing establishments.

This means that it would be OK to give blood if you got your tattoo or piercing done in a licensed facility, so be sure to check with the Lifeline staff to see if you are able to donate.

Also, in the past, flu shots were always a two-week deferral. Now, the flu shot no longer affects your eligibility to donate blood.

With this news, the staff of Lifeline Blood Services hopes to see more of you at the annual UTM/Murray State Blood Battle, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 25-26, at the UC.

Lifeline is grateful to all who help make sure blood is available for hospital patients in West Tennessee. You are saving lives.

Remember, if UTM has the most students, fans and friends to give blood, the university gets to keep the Blood Battle trophy.

You can save time by registering online the day of your donation by visiting www.lifelinebloodserv.org.

Locate the “online donor registration” box in the center of the screen and follow the instructions.

Call 800-924-6572 for more information about donating blood.