On April 12, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels signed Senate Bill 46 into law, after it passed both the House and Senate. This bill allows 16 year olds to donate blood in the State of Indiana with parental consent. The American Red Cross hails the new law as a new opportunity to engage youth in regular blood donations.

Previously, Indiana State law was silent on the issue of 16 year old blood donations. The law will go into effect on July 2, 2010 and will encourage 16 years old to donate blood with parental consent in the State. This means that now more high school students can help save a life by donating blood.

The American Red Cross is excited to spread awareness that blood donation is something a 16 year old students can do to make a difference in their community. 23 states, including Ohio and Kentucky, already have written laws that specifically encourage 16 year olds to donate blood.

The Bonnie Sloan American Legion Auxiliary Unit 28 of New Albany will send 12 girls recommended from their respective high schools to the 70^th annual session of Hoosier Girls State scheduled for June 20-25, on the campus of Indiana State University in Terre Haute. Local organizations, businesses and private individuals funded the sponsorship fee of $300 for each of these young women to attend this memorable and life changing experience.

The following junior students from New Albany High School will attend:

Haley Robison, daughter of Shawn and Debbie Robison; Kira Ferguson, daughter of Darnese Jackson; Keerthana Mohankumer, daughter of Mohan Surya and Padmaja Mohonkumer, Shelby Lewis, daughter of Christopher and Julie Lewis.

The following junior students from Floyd Central High School will attend:

Caroline Didelot, daughter of Joe and Lisa Didelot; Alyssa Spears, daughter of Tim and Joy Spears; Amee Azad, daughter of Deepak Azad and Vyoma Pathakjee; Chelsey Carr, daughter of Denise Barber and Madison Atkinson, daughter of Mark and Amy Atkinson.

The following two students from Our Lady of Providence High School will attend:

Catherine Aubrey, daughter of Russell and Laura Aubry and Claire Joksimovic, daughter of Michael and Maria Joksimovic.

These young ladies will join approximately 600 other young women for this government program designed to educate our leaders of tomorrow in the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of citizenship. This session of government and practical politics is non-partisan and non-political.

For more information about Hoosier Girls State, you may call Jennifer Moulden at 1-502-296-5497.