A MAX donation gives you the opportunity to make a greater impact by safely and comfortably donating more amounts of just one part of your blood – the part you are uniquely suited to give. As the universal plasma donor, your plasma can be given to anyone regardless of their blood type.īlood is made of various components, such as platelets, plasma and red blood cells. Although it may be small in percentage (6%) it is mighty for patients with uncontrolled bleeding, liver disease, and trauma. In Hawaii, we are lucky to have a higher percentage of AB+ donors. If you’re thinking a small percentage means your donation is nonessential, remember it only takes one person in need with your blood type to make it the most important. AB- makes up only 0.4% of our donor population. Here in Hawaii, Rh-negative blood types are half as common. As on O+ donor, you can only receive O type blood. You want as many O+ donors also donating so there is blood on the shelves should you need it. When there is no time to find out a person’s blood type, O comes to the rescue. Depending on the day you come in, you may be asked to donate platelets and/or plasma. Because your red cells can be given to anyone regardless of the patient’s blood type, your red cells are more impactful than your platelets or plasma.įor O+ donors, the need for your blood changes with the patients’ needs. O+ is the most common blood type in Hawaii (39%) and is always in high demand. Which is also why those with O- blood types are always needed! Also, your red blood cells are safest for newborn infants with under-developed immune systems. Your blood type is scarce and patients are always in need of your red blood cells.Īs the universal red blood cell donor, you can help everyone, but only O- donors can help you. Here in Hawaii, you’re in the exclusive 3% club. On the mainland, 7-8% of the population has O- blood. In an emergency when there’s no time to match the blood type, you save the day. Even here with lots of B+ donors, sudden high usage of B+ results in unexpected shortages.Īs a universal donor, anyone can receive your blood. More people with your blood type mean your blood type is needed. So it makes sense it’s prevalent in Hawaii making up 16% of Hawaii’s population. If you’re thinking a small percentage means your donation is, remember it only takes one person in need with your blood type to make it the most important.ī+ is much more common among Asian populations. Sure, lots of people have your blood type but there’s nothing common about your type if it’s not on the shelf when someone needs it.ī- makes up only 0.8% of Hawaii’s donor population. In Hawaii, A+ is the second most common blood type (32%), so you’re in good company. If you wonder why you should donate blood when there are not so many people with your blood type, remember it only takes one person in need with your blood type to make it the most important. Here in Hawaii, Rh-negative blood types are half as common, with A- making up only 2.6% of Hawaii’s donor population. Those who do may only be able to accept Jk3-negative transfusions, so patients at home and around the world depend on us.Ībout 6% of the population on the mainland has A- type blood. However, almost 1 out of every 100 Polynesians have Jk3-negative blood. This blood, some of the rarest in the world, lacks an antigen that is found on the protein responsible for transporting urea in the red blood cells and kidneys. This classification of human blood types is known as the ABO Blood Group System. In fact, there are four common human blood groups determined by the presence or absence of two chemical markers, or antigens “A” and “B” on the surface of red blood cells. Although all blood is made of the same basic elements, not all blood is alike.

A negative blood type rare