The regional blood supply receives a boost thanks to a change in Tennessee law.

Legislators from our region helped pass a provision allowing 16-year old's to donate blood with parental consent.

Blood Assurance jumped on the increased donor base, helping organizing a year-long competition among area high schools.

Red Bank and Brainerd students took their turns giving today.  Cadet Col. Matt Ramey, a JROTC cadet who helped organize the drive, says "we have about twice as many donating at one time versus when we didn't have 16 year olds its been a pretty big increase for us"

16-year old Andy Ramirez gave blood for the first time in his life today.  "Why not, why not help someone else right, yeah, I have nothing else to do, and I got out of class for it."

About 160 Red Bank students registered to give blood today, nearly besting the number who took part in *two* blood drives last year.

In addition, several students used a machine that takes twice as much blood from a donor, without impacting plasma levels.