Ideal Donation for your Blood Type

There are eight different blood types: O+, O-, A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+ and AB-.  Each blood type has unique properties.  Find yours on the chart to learn more! If you do not know your blood type, you can find out approximately three days after you donate with us, by calling 1-866-256-6372. BLOOD TYPES Please choose a donation type that matches up with your blood type in order to make a maximum impact in your community. If you have questions regarding why one donation type is more beneficial for your blood type, please call 1-866-256-6372. Blood Type % of US Population Best Type of Donations You Can Give to You Can Receive From A+34%Platelets PlasmaA+, AB+A+, A-, O+, O-A-6%Double Red Cells Whole BloodA-, A+, AB-, AB+A-, O-B+9%Platelets PlasmaB+, AB+B+, B-, O+, O-B-2%Double Red Cells Whole BloodB-, B+, AB-, AB+B-, O-O+38%Double Red Cells Whole BloodO+, A+, B+, AB+O+, O-O-7%Double Red Cells Whole BloodAll Blood TypesO-AB+3%Platelets PlasmaAB+All Blood TypesAB-1%Platelets PlasmaAB-, AB+AB-, A-, B-, O- Why is one type of donation better for my blood type than another? Expand 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. Ideal Blood Types for Double Red Cell Donation: O-, O+, A-, B- Expand 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. Ideal Blood Types for Platelet Donation: A+, B+, AB+, AB- Expand 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. Ideal Blood Types for Plasma Donation: AB+ or AB- Expand 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. Ideal Blood Types for Whole Blood Donation: All Types! Expand 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.   Interested to learn how the blood components are used to help patients?   Learn More About Blood Donation