Why is Type AB Blood so Important
Here's Why Blood Type Matters
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S needs a transfusion of red blood cells. Every 15 seconds someone in the U.S. needs a platelet transfusion. But not just any blood will do. For a successful outcome, the donor and the patient must have compatible blood types.
Learn More About Your Blood Type Compatibility
Type AB Negative
- Less than 1% of the U.S. population have AB negative blood, making it the least common blood type among Americans.
- Patients with AB negative blood type can receive red blood cells from all negative blood types.
Type AB Positive
- Less than 4% of the U.S. population have AB positive blood.
- AB positive blood type is known as the “universal recipient” because AB positive patients can receive red blood cells from all blood types.
Did You Know?
About 4% of Americans are type AB.
Donors with AB can provide plasma to all blood types.
ABs inherit A from one parent, B from the other.
Why Donations Are So Important
Recent studies show that there is a need for blood transfusions every 2 seconds. The average person can only donate 1 pint of whole blood in a single donation and the shelf life is 42 days, which is why the need to keep replenishing the supply to meet demands is great.