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About A's About 40 percent of the population has type A blood. Of that, 34% are A-positive, and 6% are A-negative. How can A's Help? Type A donations are needed because 85% of the population can receive type A platelets. Platelets are needed to support patients undergoing cancer treatment. A-positive red cells can be transfused to 37% of the population, and A-negative to 44%. Type A platelets and red blood cells are in high demand because A is the second most prevalent blood type. About AB's Type AB blood makes up 4% percent of the population. About 3% have AB-positive blood, and only 1% have AB negative. How can AB's Help? Type AB is the universal plasma, meaning plasma from AB donors can be given to patients of all blood types. Plasma is essential for many kinds of patients, including burn victims. A special kind of donation, called Apheresis, can collect a larger amount of just one of the blood components, like plasma. By giving Apheresis donations, AB donors can make a special contribution to patients in need! About B's Type B blood makes up just 11% of the population. About 9% have B-positive blood, and only 2% have B-negative. How can B's Help? Type B patients can only receive type B and type O red blood cells. Because it is challenging to maintain an adequate supply of type O, type B is important for type B patients. Also, because Rh-positive patients can receive Rh-negative red blood cells there is a greater need for B-negative donors. About O's People with type O blood makes up 45% of the population. About 38% of the population has O-positive blood, and only 7% has O-negative. O-negative is the universal red blood cell, meanings it is the only type whose red blood cells can be given to any patient, regardless of their type. O-negative is also commonly used for premature infants and for trauma patients in emergency situations. O-positive is in great demand because it can be given to 84% of the population. If you are O-positive or negative you carry a special ability to help others. How can O's Help? Type O donors are greatly needed! The Red Cross continually seeks O donors who are willing to make a commitment to multiple donations a year. If you can't give often, a new method of blood collection called "Double Red" can take twice as many red blood cells as usual, while returning the other blood components back into your body. "Double Red" maximizes your ability to help patients when you can only make infrequent donations. Facts All blood types are needed to support pateints in need, with a particular need for type O-, which is generally safe for all patients. 6 Times a year you can donate blood. 5 Percent of the eligible population that actually donates blood. 3 Potential number of lives saved from just a single blood donation. 2 Number of seconds that passes before someone in America needs blood. 1 Number of people it takes to make a difference! 650 Approximate number of blood donors needed each day in Central Ohio alone! 38,000 Approximate number of pints of blood needed in America each day.
This information Copyright © 2011 The American National Red Cross
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Last updated on: 02/04/2012
Copyright © 2012 To Life Columbus!
