World Blood Donor Day is for everyone

This post was written by Annie Ilnicki, MT(ASCP)SBB^CM, blood bank specialist, Parkview Health.

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, and people of all blood types can help save lives in their own unique way. You might have heard that type O blood is the most important because it's the universal type and can be given to anyone. While that's true, it's only true for red blood cell transfusions. Let's take a look at how donors of every blood type contribute to patient care.

Most blood drives collect whole blood from donors. After collection, whole blood can then be separated into different blood components, and that's when it gets interesting! Red blood cells are just one part of your blood. The rest is broken down into units of plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate. Blood types other than type O are widely sought after for these components.

• Type O

  • The universal donor for red blood cell transfusions.

  • Red blood cell transfusions increase the amount of oxygen in the blood and are helpful for patients who are anemic or actively bleeding.

• Type A

  • The universal donor for plasma transfusions for patients who are losing significant amounts of blood.

  • Plasma contains clotting factors that help stop bleeding.

• Type B

  • Only about 11% of the population is type B, and only two percent are type B negative.

  • As the pool of donors continues to shrink in the U.S., it's essential to have type B blood donors for red blood cells and plasma transfusions. This ensures that the universal donor types are not depleted.   

• Type AB

  • The universal plasma donor for infants and patients who have smaller active bleeds.

  • Type AB is the rarest blood type. Only about four percent of the population is type AB, and only one percent is type AB negative.

Donors of all blood types are needed for platelet and cryoprecipitate transfusions. These components also help stop bleeding and are used frequently for cancer and trauma patients.
 

Final thoughts

Parkview Health uses three blood suppliers to make sure it has enough blood components to take care of everyone in need. The American Red Cross, Versiti and South Bend Medical Foundation all hold blood drives in northeastern and north-central Indiana. Please consider making an appointment with one of these organizations soon. Parkview and its blood banks thank you!

American Red Cross 
260-484-9336  

Versiti 
317-916-5150  

South Bend Med Foundation 
574-234-1157