| Sixteen-year-olds will soon be eligible to give blood in West Virginia starting July 1.
The American Red Cross lobbied for the legislation and Governor Joe Manchin recently signed the bill into law.
Central West Virginia Chapter Red Cross Spokesman Scott Jarrett says the law lowers the giving age by one year.
"This bill would give the opportunity for 16-year olds to give with parental or guardian consent," said Jarrett.
Jarrett says some of the most successful blood drives happen when they go to high schools.
The agency is seeing a decline in blood donors in West Virginia as they age. | 
