Blood Types and Transfusion

Select the donor blood type:

O−

O+

A−

A+

B−

B+

AB−

AB+

O−

O+

A−

A+

B−

B+

AB−

AB+

Each year 4.5 million lives are saved by blood transfusions.

There are very specific ways in which blood types must be matched for a safe transfusion. The right blood transfusion can mean the difference between life and death. Every 2 seconds someone in the US needs a blood transfusion. Use the interactive graphic below to learn more about matching blood types for transfusions.Also, Rh-negative blood is given to Rh-negative patients, and Rh-positive or Rh-negative blood may be given to Rh-positive patients.The rules for plasma are the reverse.
The universal red cell donor has Type O negative blood.
The universal plasma donor has Type AB blood.

A CRUCIAL NEED

The need for blood never goes away, and these stats prove it. Someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds, and one in ten patients who show up to a hospital will need blood. Over 800 people need to donate every day to meet the daily needs of the hospitals we serve. Blood is only good for 42 days. It can’t be replicated or produced. It is because of our volunteer blood donors that blood is there for local patients in need of transfusions. That’s neighbors helping neighbors in the best way. The reason to donate is simple…it saves

A directed donation is one where a patient chooses the donor. A physician’s order is required and units need to be collected at least 5 working days prior to the planned surgery. The patient and the attending physician sign this request.

You may have heard someone say “I’m a baby donor” or “I donate for the babies.” What does that mean? It means they are CMV negative – the person has not been exposed to the cytomegalovirus, or CMV. CMV is a complex flu-like virus that most adults are exposed to at sometime in their lives. It is a double stranded DNA virus belonging to the herpes virus family. This is important because in low birth weight infants, the consequences of such infection may be severe or even fatal.