National Tattoo Day 2025

July 17 is National Tattoo Day, which is the perfect time to dispel one of the most popular myths about blood donation.

Many people believe that if you have a tattoo, you’re ineligible to donate blood. Let’s set the record straight: If you have a tattoo, you can donate blood – even if you recently got a tattoo.

The popularity of tattoos is on the rise, especially among younger generations. More than 40% of adults under 30 have at least one tattoo. However, according to America’s Blood Centers, just 19.8% of all blood donations come from the age 16-24 demographic. It is important for young people to know they can donate blood if they have tattoos.

Every tattoo tells a story, but so does every blood donation. For each blood donation, up to three lives are saved. It means a mother who has experienced a difficult childbirth will have the opportunity to raise her child. It means a pediatric cancer patient will have the chance to be a kid, grow up and make a difference in the world. It means a family member who suffered a traumatic accident is saved.

Many of these hospital patients who need a lifesaving blood transfusion have tattoos or will get tattoos in the future. When you donate blood, you become part of their story. They may even get a tattoo that symbolizes the lifesaving gift of blood they received.

What about deferrals?

There is no donation deferral for getting a tattoo in a regulated, state-licensed facility.

For tattoos applied in a facility that is not state-licensed, donors should wait three months from their tattoo or last touch-up date before donating.

With that in mind, we encourage all our tattooed friends and neighbors to roll up their sleeves and show off that ink – and donate blood.