Ideal Donation for your Blood Type

Based on patient transfusion needs and the properties of your blood type, it is true that some donation types can make a bigger impact than others.  Read below to find out why.  Please note that this information is what is generally needed by patients.  Our inventory fluctuates every day based on patient needs, and we may occasionally ask donors to change their donation type to match our current needs.

There are some blood types that are used more frequently for transfusions that others because of their compatibility with the recipient’s blood type.  Donated red cells MUST be compatible with the recipient patient’s blood type in order for the transfusion to be successful.  If you check the chart above, you will notice that each of these blood types can be received by patients with a variety of blood types.  For this reason, we request donors with the blood type of O-, O+, A- or B- donate double red cells if they are eligible or a whole blood donation to make the maximum impact for our patients.

Platelets are not as type specific as red blood cells, meaning that most patients can accept platelets from donors with any blood type, regardless of the patient’s blood type.  Since platelets only last for FIVE days, they are always needed by patients.  For this reason, we request donors with the blood type of A+, B+, AB+, or AB- to donate platelets if they are eligible or whole blood donation to make the maximum impact for our patients.

AB is the universal blood type for plasma donations, so we ask donors with the blood type of AB+ or AB- to donate plasma if they are eligible, to make the maximum impact for our patients.

We gladly accept whole blood donations from eligible donors with any blood type.  All donated blood and blood components makes a huge difference for patients in need.