Learn More About Blood Types

When you come in to donate blood, you will find out your blood type if you do not already know it. Everyone's blood is unique, but can be classified into primary eight groups.

According to the American Association of Blood Banks, the approximate distribution of blood types in the US population is as follows. Distribution may be different for specific racial and ethnic groups:

O Rh-positive --- 38 percent
O Rh-negative --- 7 percent
A Rh-positive --- 34 percent
A Rh-negative --- 6 percent		 B Rh-positive --- 9 percent
B Rh-negative --- 2 percent
AB Rh-positive --- 3 percent
AB Rh-negative --- 1 percent

In an emergency, anyone can receive type O negative red blood cells, and type AB individuals can receive red blood cells of any A, B or O type. Therefore, people with type O blood are known as “universal donors” and those with type AB blood are known as “universal recipients.” In addition, AB plasma donors can give to all blood types. (Learn more about donating platelets.)