"Bloodworks" did not communicate that there is a significant increase in the risk of complications from blood donation for teens compared to adults.
The significant complications for the younger donors are well documented in medical literature. According to American Red Cross, blood donation complications were found in about 11 per cent of donations by 16 to 17-year-olds, compared with about 8 percent of 18 to 19-year-olds and just around 3 per cent in over-20s.
My daughter donated blood in February of this year during school blood drive. She had a Vasovagal reaction shortly after donating blood. She confirmed to me that if the risks were communicated before the donation, she would have chosen to wait till she is older to minimize the reaction rate.
I think that the risks connected to the blood donation should be communicated clearly to the teen blood donors, so they can make an educated decision.
PS. Before donation the first time teen female donor had low blood pressure of 90/60, however "Bloodworks" proceeded with blood collection, informing me later that "there is no lower limit for the blood pressure" (??). After the fainting, it took 26 minutes (!!) for your "trained staff" to assess my daughter's vital signs. read more