Laws related to blood donation exists on the federal and state levels. Most states allow a person to donate blood without parental permission upon reaching the age of majority. U.S. institutions collected more than 15 million units of whole blood and red cells in 2001, the most recent year for which data are available. Blood centers collected 93% of the donated units, while hospitals collected 7%
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is the primary agency overseeing collection of blood at places such as the Red Cross. All Red Cross blood centers operate under one license issued, regulated, and inspected by this agency. Laws regulate who may donate blood, where and how it is donated, how it is used, and how materials used in collecting it are disposed of.
