Human Blood Types
Blood is grouped into four types: A, B, AB, and O. Each type is also classified by an RH factor – either positive ( + ) or negative
( - ). 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, maybe even death.
Your ABO blood grouping and Rh factor are inherited from your parents. Check the chart below to see what percentage of the population shares your ABO grouping.
| O+ | 37% | O- | 6% | ||
| A+ | 34% | A- | 6% | ||
| B+ | 10% | B- | 2% | ||
| AB+ | 4% | AB- | 1% |
If you are 18 or older*, weigh at least 45kg, have not donated in the past 12 weeks (16 weeks for double red cell donors), are healthy and are not currently taking antibiotics, we welcome your blood donation! You may not donate if you:
- have cold or flu symptoms on the day of donation or do not feel well
- have ever used a needle to take nonprescription drugs
- had hepatitis after the age of 11
- ever had a positive Hepatitis B or C test
- are at risk of catching or spreading the AIDS virus.
Whatever type you are, someone in the community can benefit from your blood donation. Donate today. You’ll feel terrific!
Possible Blood Transfusion Combinations
| Type: | Can be given to patients with type: |
| O+ O-
| O+, A+, B+, AB+ O+, A+, B+, AB+, O-, A-, B-, AB- |
| Patients with Type: | Can receive type: |
| O+ O- | O+, O- O- |
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