Tattoo is no bar to donors

Mike Clark has a passion for the American Red Cross.

The 23-year-old Omahan sometimes volunteers more than 40 hours a week for the disaster-relief organization.

He sorts food at the Heartland Chapter pantry. As a member of the Disaster Action Team, he’s often the first on the scene to comfort families when a house catches fire. He spent hours on the phone helping victims of Hurricane Katrina, and helps at health and safety fairs.

So when he decided to get his fourth tattoo, he didn’t opt for roses, “Mom” or a skull and crossbones.

He chose the Red Cross logo.

The 3-inch tattoo on his shoulder blade is more than just a conversation piece. It’s a way to publicize a little-known fact: In Nebraska, you can be a blood donor right after getting body art. A rule barring people who got tattoos from giving for a year was changed a couple of years ago. Now you just have to verify that you got your tattoo at a licensed parlor.

Most people don’t know about the new procedures because they weren’t well publicized. Clark thinks that may be keeping people from being donors.

And he hopes to change that.

He wants everyone to know that he gave blood a week after getting his tattoo last month.

“When I tell people about my tattoo, I’ll throw that out there,” he said.

In fact, he persuaded his body artist, Kris Notch of Villain’s in south Omaha, to take a few Red Cross classes so she could also spread the word.

“She gets a new tattoo every so often and wants to donate blood,” Clark said. “Now she can.”

In some states, including Nebraska and Iowa, health departments license and closely regulate tattoo artists and their facilities.

And that’s what makes the difference, said Nick Gehrig, spokesman for the Red Cross Midwest Region.

“What the license does is verify that the tattoo was applied with a single-use needle,” he said, meaning the needle was used only one time on only one person. “In a nonlicensed state, there isn’t that documentation.”

Single-use needles reduce the risk of infectious diseases.

Notch’s tattoo license requires her to take first aid, CPR and blood-borne pathogens courses.

“When Mike started talking about what he does for the Red Cross, it reminded me that it was time for me to renew,” she said.

In the class, she learned about contracting disease from bodily fluids and how to keep herself and clients clean and safe.

Notch washes her hands and uses a new sterilized needle for each tattoo. When she’s done, she disposes of the needle in a red biohazard container.

She appreciates how much easier the Red Cross makes her job, both by offering classes and getting the word out about how safe it is to get a tattoo. In turn, her clean parlor, professional procedures and eye toward safely impress Clark.

Now, thanks to Clark, Notch is planning her own date to donate.

“He’s so young and committed,” she said.

At first glance, he may seem like an unlikely hero, with his bowl haircut and wire-rim glasses. He stands at about 5-foot-9 and weighs about a buck eighty. Friends and co-workers say he’s unaware of his impact and how cool he is — with or without the tattoo.

“He’s very humble about what he does,” said Danelle Schlegelmilch of the Heartland Chapter. “He literally jumps in the middle of a storm to work with clients.”

Soon, Clark hopes to depict that in his tattoo.

He wants to add storm clouds and fire to his shoulder art.

Contact the writer:

444-1075, j.loza@owh.com

« Living

Share