Blood Types
Every person has a certain blood type that is determined by antigens attached to their red blood cells. Antigens are classified as A, B, AB and O. Each of those can be either Rh positive or Rh negative. In the charts below, you can see the prevalence of each of the blood types and their possible transfusion combinations.
| Blood Type |
Prevalence in U.S. |
Can Be Given to Patients with Types: |
| O+ |
38% |
O+, A+, B+, AB+ |
| O- |
7% |
O+, A+, B+, AB+, O-, A-, B-, AB- |
| A+ |
34% |
A+, AB+ |
| A- |
6% |
A+, AB+, A-, AB- |
| B+ |
9% |
B+, AB+ |
| B- |
2% |
B+, AB+, B-, AB- |
| AB+ |
3% |
AB+ |
| AB- |
1% |
AB+, AB- |
Based on your blood type, it may be more beneficial for patients if you donate a certain component (platelets, plasma or red cells) rather than give a whole blood donation. This is done through a process called Automated Donation. Read on to learn which component you should donate then click here to learn more about the Automated Donation process.
| Blood Type |
| O |
- You are a universal Red Cell donor if you are O-.
- O- donors' red cells could potentially be transfused to 100 percent of the population.
- O+ donors' red cells could potentially be transfused to anyone who has a positive blood type (that's 85 percent of the population).
- Please schedule a red cell donation today.
|
| A |
- You are a universal platelet donor.
- Your platelets could potentially be transfused to any patient needing them, regardless of their blood type.
- Platelets can be donated every three days, up to 24 times in a 12-month period, through the apheresis process.
- Please make an appointment to donate platelets today.
|
| B |
- You are a universal platelet donor.
- Your platelets could potentially be transfused to 100 percent of the population.
- Platelets are in high demand and we need an average of three new donors every day to keep up.
- Type B donors are encouraged to make a platelet donation appointment.
|
| AB |
- You are a universal platelet and plasma donor.
- Your platelets could be used to treat infants and children.
- Your plasma could potentially be transfused to any patient needing plasma, regardless of their blood type.
- Plasma can be donated every 4 weeks, up to 13 times in a 12-month period.
- Please make an appointment to donate platelets or plasma through the apheresis process.
|