Human blood types
What's Your Type?
Do you know your blood type? Some of us have a common blood type and others have a rare one. All types are needed to save lives, though. When you donate blood, you can wait to learn your blood type on the donor card we'll issue you or call in a couple days after your donation to inquire.
The Four Blood Groups
Blood is grouped into four types: A, B, AB, and O. Each type is then classified by an Rh factor of either positive or negative. Your ABO blood grouping and Rh factor are inherited from your parents. When a blood transfusion is necessary, donor and patient blood must be compatible. If not, the patient's body will react to the incompatible donor cells, leading to complications and even death.
The chart below shows how blood types break down in our population. Whether you are in the majority with O-positive blood or have the rare AB-negative blood, hospital patients are counting on you because it's different types for different people.
Do you know your blood type? Some of us have a common blood type and others have a rare one. All types are needed to save lives, though. When you donate blood, you can wait to learn your blood type on the donor card we'll issue you or call in a couple days after your donation to inquire.
The Four Blood Groups
Blood is grouped into four types: A, B, AB, and O. Each type is then classified by an Rh factor of either positive or negative. Your ABO blood grouping and Rh factor are inherited from your parents. When a blood transfusion is necessary, donor and patient blood must be compatible. If not, the patient's body will react to the incompatible donor cells, leading to complications and even death.
The chart below shows how blood types break down in our population. Whether you are in the majority with O-positive blood or have the rare AB-negative blood, hospital patients are counting on you because it's different types for different people.