Blood Types: What Do They Mean?

There's Another Type of Universal Donor. Here's How it's Possible.

You already know blood donation can save lives.

What you may not know is that people with Type AB blood have another opportunity to help patients in a way very few can.

You've probably heard that Type O Negative is the universal donor. That's only partially true.

When it comes to plasma, the universal donor is Type AB. And if that's your blood type, you're one of very few people who can make that gift.

In a room filled with 100 people, only about four would have Type AB blood. By comparison, there would be nearly twice as many people with the famously rare Type O Negative blood.

So why does any of this matter? Because your plasma has a job almost no one else's can do.

Wait... How Can There Be More Than One Universal Donor?

Because there isn't just one type of donation.

When you donate whole blood, you're donating three lifesaving components at once: red blood cells, platelets and plasma.

Each has a different job. Red blood cells carry oxygen, platelets help stop bleeding and plasma carries proteins that help your body function normally.

But a whole blood donation doesn't stay whole for long. After your donation reaches our lab, those components are separated because different patients need different parts of your donation.

No matter which blood component a patient receives, the donation has to work with the patient's immune system — not against it. That's where blood types come in.

The World's Shortest Biology Lesson

Your blood type is determined by tiny markers on the surface of your red blood cells. Think of them as identification tags that tell your immune system "I belong here."

Some people have A markers. Some have B markers. Some have both, and some have neither. That's what determines whether you're Type A, Type B, Type AB or Type O.

Plasma is different. It doesn't carry those identification tags. Instead, it contains antibodies that recognize certain markers and react to ones they see as foreign.

Type A plasma has antibodies against B markers. Type B plasma has antibodies against A markers. Type O plasma has antibodies against both. Type AB plasma has neither.

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Why Type AB Plasma Is So Important

Think back to those identification tags.

Red blood cells are judged by the tags they wear. Because Type AB red blood cells carry both A and B markers, they can only be given to other Type AB patients — a very small part of the population.

Plasma is judged by the antibodies it carries. Type AB plasma doesn't have antibodies against A or B markers, so it won't react with the recipient's blood. It can be safely given to patients with any blood type.

In other words, your red blood cells are among the least compatible, while your plasma is the most compatible.

That's what makes Type AB plasma donors so unique.

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Why Hospitals Need Type AB Plasma

When a patient is losing blood, every second matters. Doctors don't always have time to determine a patient's blood type before treatment begins.

Most people know hospitals rely on Type O Negative when a patient needs red blood cells immediately. It doesn't have A or B markers, meaning it safely can be given to anyone.

Hospitals rely on Type AB plasma for the very same reason.

Because Type AB plasma can be safely given to anyone, it's often the fastest way to replace the clotting factors and proteins patients need while their care team works to stabilize them.

Type AB plasma is also used to treat patients with severe burns, liver disease, clotting disorders and other conditions where plasma itself — not red blood cells — is what's needed.

That's why Type AB plasma is one of the most valuable resources hospitals keep on hand. It's also one of the rarest, simply because so few people have Type AB blood.

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How Type AB Donors Can Help

If you have Type AB blood, donating whole blood is always a meaningful way to help patients.

But if you're looking to make the biggest impact with your unique blood type, consider donating plasma or platelets.

Both are collected through a process called apheresis, which separates the specific blood component needed while returning the rest of your blood back to you. Because your body replaces plasma much faster than red blood cells, you're able to donate plasma once every 28 days.

You can also choose a combined platelet and plasma donation, allowing a single appointment to provide lifesaving platelets for cancer patients and universal plasma for those in need.

If your blood type gives you a gift that few others can provide, apheresis is the best way to share more of it.

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Where Can I Donate Plasma?

Whether you donate at one of our community blood drives or visit an Our Blood Institute donor center, we're grateful you're part of our donor family!

One of the unique benefits of plasma and platelet donation is that it complements — not replaces — your whole blood donations.

Many Type AB donors continue donating whole blood at community blood drives, then visit a donor center between those drives to donate plasma or platelets.

It's an easy way to help more patients while continuing to support the schools, churches, businesses and organizations you care about.

However you choose to give, thank you for being part of our mission. And if you've never visited us before, we'd love to welcome you. Find the location nearest you and schedule your first donation today!

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